Dengue, Zika, or West Nile fever: alert due to the increase in disease-transmitting mosquitoes

BarcelonaThe climate crisis is causing high temperatures to arrive earlier than the summer months, and therefore, so too are infestations of mosquitoes, cockroaches, bedbugs, and ticks in our country. This year, in addition, the spring has been particularly rainy, favoring the spread of these animals throughout the country, and the outbreak of pests has become more advanced, especially in warmer areas. Some of these insects, such as mosquitoes and ticks, are vectors of transmission of diseases such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and West Nile fever, which are becoming more common in Spain each year. These diseases were previously only seen in imported cases from other countries, but now native outbreaks are frequently detected—that is, transmission not associated with travel—and experts predict that they will eventually become endemic in Spain.

Last year, the largest outbreak of native dengue in Spain was detected in Vila-seca, with eight infected people, and in Andalusia at least ten people died from the West Nile virus. Given this scenario, last week the Catalan Public Health Agency activated surveillance and control protocols for mosquito-borne diseases. However, the Catalan Association of Environmental Health Companies (Adepap), which brings together pest control and eradication companies, maintains that mosquito surveillance must be strengthened, treating them as an increasingly present threat to public health, and devoting more efforts to prevention to prevent their spread.

"We must change the idea of considering mosquitoes only as a nuisance and take their presence as transmitters of certain pathogens more seriously," says Andreu Garcia, vice president and spokesperson for Adepap. Aside from high temperatures, other factors favor mosquito infestations, such as immigration and the movement of travelers between Catalonia and endemic areas, which, according to the Department of Health, "constitute a major source of introduction of imported viruses into our country." Furthermore, the Ministry of Health warns that Catalonia is at high risk of mosquitoes capable of transmitting the West Nile virus, which until now has been largely concentrated in the south of the country.

Cockroaches, bedbugs and ticks

Aside from mosquitoes, there are other pests that Adepap predicts will be a headache now that the warm weather is here. The plumbing and drainage systems must be repaired to prevent them from entering buildings. As for the German cockroach, which is smaller, it is commonly found inside homes, especially in kitchens, and in bars and restaurants. that cockroaches can find shelter and sources of food and water, which should never be left on counters and stoves."

Bed bugs are primarily associated with the international movement of people and goods, as well as the massive arrival of tourism during the summer months. eliminate because they have generated resistance to some insecticides. During the day they hide in corners, cracks in wood or folds of clothing, especially in mattresses and sofas, and at night they come out to suck the blood of their hosts. travel at the highest possible temperature, from 60 °C.

Those that can be vectors of transmission are ticks, which have always been present in the State but with the climate crisis are spreading. long and avoid open footwear, use repellent and, as far as possible, do not walk through areas of dense vegetation. extract them, such as applying oil or alcohol, since they can stress them and inoculate more pathogens, which increases the risk of contracting a disease. If you experience a fever, rash, or other discomfort within a month of the bite, Salut recommends going to a health center.