19 Apr, 2024 @ 11:05
1 min read

Young boy catches West Nile virus in Spain’s Andalucia – with a second ‘probable’ case in a teenager in Sevilla

ANDALUCIA sees two cases of West Nile virus after a young boy is infected and another suspected case is detected in Sevilla. 

The Junta de Andalucia has confirmed a case of West Nile virus to the Spanish Ministry of Health. 

A young boy under five, from the Lebrija area of Sevilla, was in hospital for ten days but is now ‘perfectly well’. 

According to the Department of Health and Food, the boy started to show symptoms at the start of March. 

READ MORE: West Nile Virus is found in 50,000 mosquitoes in Spain’s Andalucia – these are the most at risk areas

Photo by ???? ??????? on Unsplash

Although it is not known when the boy may have caught the illness, they did confirm another probable case of a 17-year-old girl in Dos Hermanas, Sevilla. 

She also began to show symptoms in early March and was in hospital for 18 days. 

Now at home and doing well, more studies are needed on her case to confirm the infection. 

READ MORE: Malaga is the province with the largest number of people bitten by the tiger mosquito in Andalucia this year

The Junta has now implemented measures to control the issue, installing traps near homes. 

The Estacion Biologica de Donana- CSIC (The Doñana Biological Station) has also installed eight traps to evaluate the issue near the boy’s home and so far, all tests have come back negative. 

Local authorities have also been warned to control the presence of rubbish and activate control measures in the general population, such as giving out preventative medicine. 

Dos Hermanas and Lebrija will be evaluated for their risk level. 

Last year, 113 cases were identified, mostly in June, November and August. 

READ MORE: Primary school employs bats to combat plagues of mosquitos biting the children

Yzabelle Bostyn

After spending much of her childhood in Andalucia and adulthood between Barcelona and Latin America, Yzabelle has settled in the Costa del Sol to put her NCTJ & Journalism Masters to good use. She is particularly interested in travel, vegan food and has been leading the Olive Press Nolotil campaign. Have a story? email yzabelle@theolivepress.es

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Story

2024 Market Forecast: Bullish Dreams or Bearish Realities

Perla De Torrenueva Pool And Terrace Aera 42 978x650
Next Story

Private pools will be allowed to be filled in this town on Spain’s Costa del Sol

Latest from Andalucia

Go toTop

More From The Olive Press