West Nile Virus in Andalusia: 3 Deaths and 67 Cases Reported

West Nile Virus Spread and Subtropical Climate Shifts

The regional health department reports that mosquito season closely tracks high ambient temperatures, driving an expansion of vector activity in southern Spain. According to Ulises Ameyugo, director general of Public Health and Pharmaceutical Regulation, Andalusia is transitioning toward a subtropical climate rather than a temperate one. This shift extends the active months for vector populations that previously faced strict seasonal limitations. Officials state that residents must remain attentive rather than alarmed, noting that health authorities understand the disease dynamics and maintain established control protocols even though total eradication is not feasible.

Municipal Alerts and Temperature Thresholds

Twenty-seven Andalusian municipalities remain under alert due to active mosquito populations monitored by regional authorities. High overnight temperatures have exacerbated the risk, with the region recording 61 nights of elevated temperatures during the summer season. According to Ulises Ameyugo, vector capacity to transmit the virus drops significantly once nighttime temperatures fall below 17 degrees Celsius. Regional surveillance teams continue tracking nighttime thermal drops to gauge the receding risk of transmission across affected districts.

Shamonda Virus Context in Livestock

Alongside human West Nile virus cases, agricultural authorities have addressed detections of the Shamonda virus in cattle within the province of Córdoba. Ulises Ameyugo issued a call for calm regarding the livestock findings, noting that the pathogen is already known and is not considered to be transmissible to humans. Furthermore, health officials emphasize that the virus remains highly sensitive to thermal treatments, meaning the risk can be neutralized without triggering public health concerns.