They warn of the possibility of mosquitoes infected with dengue fever appearing in Spain.

A mosquito that carries West Nile virus.EUROPE PRESS

The director of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Andrea Ammon, warned about “continuation of the upward trend” number of cases of dengue fever imported from endemic regions, and the growing number local outbreaks infections caused by West Nile virus, and indigenous dengue fever in the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA).

IN 2023there was 130 cases dengue purchased locally notified to the EU/EEA, and 71 cases were notified in 2022. This significant increase compared to the ten-year period 2010-2021, where the total number of locally acquired cases was 73 for the entire period.

Cases imports are also increasingwith 1,572 cases reported in 2022 and more than 4,900 cases in 2023. This is the highest number of imported dengue cases recorded since EU-level surveillance began in 2008. In the first months of 2024, several countries reported significant increases in incidence. in the number of imported cases of dengue fever, which may indicate thatIn 2024, the numbers could be even higher..

Since 2010, when the first recent dengue outbreak was reported, there have been 48 vector-borne dengue outbreaks. Between 2010 and 2017, there were up to 3 outbreaks per year, 5 outbreaks in 2018, 7 in 2020, 10 outbreaks in 2022, and a peak last year in 2023: 8 outbreaks in France, 4 in Italy and 2 in Spain

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What is the situation in Spain?

The ECDC Director noted that “the possibility that in Spain a mosquito infected with dengue fever is given“, althoughthe disease has not been established in this country. Thus, he emphasized that the mosquito that can transmit dengue fever, the aforementioned Aedes albopictus, lives in Spain.

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“It is difficult to predict exactly, but the combination of warm weather and the presence of some pools of standing water is a good precondition for an increase in mosquito numbers,” the ECDC director warned, although she clarified that “it is one thing to have a mosquito, but another to have an infected mosquito.

In this moment Celine Gossnersenior expert on emerging and vector-borne diseases at ECDC, explained that since mosquito present and it’s in abundance in most of Spain, the virus will be imported. Thus, he indicated that environmental conditions in the summer were “suitable” for “localized outbreaks,” although it was impossible to predict whether they would be “multiple” or not. “The mosquito is spreading to more and more places, making more and more areas suitable for dengue transmission,” he noted.

West Nile virus

For West Nile virusin 2023, EU/EEA countries notified 713 local human cases in 123 different regions in nine EU countries. Twenty-two of these regions were first reported as infection sites in 2023; 67 deaths were also reported. The reported number of cases is lower than in 2022 (1,133 human cases), but the number of regions affected is the highest since the 2018 peak, indicating widespread geographic circulation of the virus.

This year, a confirmed case of locally acquired West Nile virus was reported in Seville in a person with symptoms appearing in early March. Although this is an isolated incident, it shows that West Nile virus transmission can occur early in the year, likely due to suitable weather conditions.

How did it reach us?

“Increase International travel and freight transport Was important distribution routes mosquitoes across borders, especially through the trade of used tires and bamboo plants. Additionally, urban areas are ideal breeding grounds due to the abundance of artificial containers that can hold water, such as flower pots,” Ammon warned at a press conference on Tuesday, noting that the situation will be exacerbated by climate change.

“You can see that there is a connection between higher summer temperatures, milder winters and the spread of mosquitoes into areas where they don’t currently exist,” Ammon said.

Various mosquitoes that cause disease

Possible treatments: vaccines in development

Regarding possible treatments for West Nile virus, Zika and chikungunya, Gossner recalled that currently there are vaccines for a viral infection West Nile V horsesBut not among people.

For him ZikaYes vaccine in development and as for chikungunyaMost recently, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) provided registration certificate the first vaccine in Europe. The recommendation will now go to the European Commission, which will decide whether the vaccine can be sold in Europe, which the ECDC says represents a “major achievement”.

As such, Gossner said establishing coordinated vector control efforts is a “key” element in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases and will be necessary. continue your investigation develop tools for “effective but ecological management” of mosquito populations.

Civil cooperation

He also advocated the extension of certain measures to the population, such as eliminate stagnant water in gardens or balconies where mosquitoes breed. Personal protective measures to reduce the risk of mosquito bites include wearing clothing that covers most of the body, using mosquito repellent, using mosquito nets on windows and doors, and sleeping in air-conditioned areas. “In order for these measures to be widely implemented, it is necessary to carry out effective public awareness in general,” he added.

Likewise, improved surveillance and early detection Travel-related and local incidences of mosquito-borne diseases remain important for timely and appropriate vector and disease control measures.

“It will be almost impossible to stop the spread of Albopictus., because mosquitoes are transported by trucks, cars, etc. And we see that the environmental conditions are adequate for a long period. So I think the trend that we’re seeing now, with new areas affected, is likely to continue,” Gossner concluded.

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