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Date Published: 22/03/2022

ARCHIVED - The ingenious early warning system against disease-carrying mosquitoes in San Javier

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

San Javier Town Hall has implemented a novel warning system for the early detection of the tiger mosquito

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - The ingenious early warning system against disease-carrying mosquitoes in San Javier

Mosquito prevention campaigns are typically introduced by local authorities between May and October when the disease-carrying tiger species is most active. But this year, San Javier Town Hall has brought its prevention campaign forward by two months, and has adopted an early warning system.

Efforts to control population explosions are carried out in line with the Regional government's Entomological Surveillance Plan. However, the continued expansion of tiger mosquito numbers in the Mediterranean has led to the implementation of additional measures in San Javier and Cartagena.

San Javier's Councillor for Health, Isidoro Miñano, explained that "this warning system for the early detection of the tiger mosquito means appropriate measures can be put in place far earlier in the event their presence is detected".

To do this, regular and specific sampling is carried out via a series of traps which are harmless to humans and are located at strategic points which traditionally prove attractive to colonies of the tiger mosquito, potential transmitters of viral diseases such as dengue, Zika and Chikungunya.

The appearance in Asturias last year of a new species of mosquito not recorded to date on the peninsula and a transmitter of the Nile virus, among other diseases, confirms the need to keep the annual surveillance campaign alive, according to the Town Hall. Just last week, the Canary Islands were placed on high alert against yellow fever after two of the carrying mosquito larvae were discovered on La Palma.

Also of interest: Murcia inspects breeding grounds to prevent moquito outbreaks

"Knowing about the existence of the tiger mosquito in the municipality allows us to adapt our actions both in terms of epidemiological surveillance of dengue, chikungunya and Zika, as well as individual protection measures for the population."

Meanwhile, in Cartagena, the Department of Health and the pest control service concessionaire Rafaela Belmontea met on Tuesday March 22 to outline the city's action plan for the coming months.

Again, the aim is to detect the arrival of pests early and prevent the proliferation of insects and rodents with the arrival of spring and change in temperatures.

The council has increased its budget so that pest control efforts can be intensified in protected areas, such as Calblanque, Lo Poyo and Carmolí.

How ordinary people can help

Both authorities are urging the public to do their bit to help keep mosquito populations at a minimum by avoiding the accumulation of water in flowerpots and other containers and keeping swimming pools and ponds clean and covered where possible.

"The imminent arrival of good weather following heavy rain we have experienced may increase the proliferation of mosquitos and other insects, particularly at second homes with pools and ponds. So, we are asking homeowners to take advantage of Easter, a time when weather permitting many people go to their second homes for the festive period, to reinforce the maintenance of any water stgnations," urged Cartagena City Council.

Image 1: Ayuntamiento de San Javier

Image 2: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena

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