Córdoba Province Battles West Nile Virus Threat; Municipalities Implement Control Measures

CÓRDOBA, Spain (April 10, 2025) — Authorities in the‍ Vega del ‍Guadalquivir region of Córdoba are taking‍ proactive steps to combat the potential spread of West Nile virus. Several municipalities⁤ are implementing surveillance and control programs, with ⁢risk levels varying across the province.

Risk Levels Assessed Across Municipalities

The municipality of Palma del Río currently faces a high risk, while Hornachuelos is considered at medium risk. Other municipalities designated as medium risk include Almodóvar del Río, Fuente Carreteros, Fuente palmera, Guadalcázar, La Carlota, Posadas, and⁢ La Victoria.

mosquito Control Plans Mandated

Municipalities at low risk are required to develop and implement local mosquito control plans.These ⁢plans must be integrated into existing deratization, disinsection, and disinfection (DDD) programs, adhering to a comprehensive ⁢pest control strategy.

These municipalities will also conduct assessments of potential larval‍ breeding sites within⁣ or near populated areas and⁣ maintain ongoing monitoring, preparing for intervention if necessary.

Coordination Efforts Underway

representatives⁤ from various municipalities ⁢recently met with the Diputación⁤ de Córdoba to coordinate citizen intervention, surveillance, and public awareness initiatives related to⁣ West Nile virus.

Andrés Lorite, Delegate of Infrastructure, Sustainability and Agriculture of the Diputación, along with representatives from the Junta ⁤de Andalucía, the College of Veterinarians, and the director of the Competitive Research Unit in Zoonoses and Emerging Diseases (Enzoem) at the University of Córdoba, attended the meeting. The gathering served as a platform to analyze the ⁣autonomous government’s 2025 surveillance and ⁢vector control program for West Nile virus.

Surveillance and ⁢Control actions

Municipalities at medium ⁢risk are tasked with ⁤implementing surveillance and⁣ control measures targeting larval and adult mosquito populations in or‍ near populated areas.

For Palma del Río,‍ considered at high risk, these measures will extend throughout the entire municipal territory, with a focus on larval breeding sites and adult mosquito refuges within 1.5 kilometers of populated areas.

High-risk localities must also maintain a municipal surveillance and vector control plan encompassing populated areas and a 1.5 km perimeter, and also frequently transited rural zones and other potential larval sources‍ within the municipality that could⁢ pose a risk to the population.

Entomological ⁢surveillance efforts‍ will prioritize monitoring larval breeding‍ site density and the presence of potentially transmitting adult mosquitoes.

Public ⁢Awareness Campaign Planned

A communication and awareness campaign will be ⁣launched to inform citizens about preventive and protective ⁣measures. This campaign will intensify starting in May ⁤and will ‍include ⁢private rural areas.

The Hornachuelos ⁤City Council, represented by Mayor Julián López and Delegate of Environment Mª Rosa Fernández, is in the process of contracting a company to⁤ conduct a preliminary study, expected to be completed before the end of the⁢ month.

These measures are deemed necessary to prepare⁣ for potential outbreaks as temperatures rise. The Diputación de Córdoba has pledged its support to address any needs raised by local mayors.

The Diputación will provide technical assistance to all municipalities in developing tailored plans and⁤ will monitor the virus’s evolution across the province.

A working group comprising the Veterinary ‍College and the Competitive⁤ Research Unit in Zoonoses and Emerging Diseases (Enzoem) at the University⁤ of Córdoba is developing a comprehensive surveillance and control program. This collaboration aims to ensure that decisions are based on scientific data from the University of Córdoba and the Junta de Andalucía’s health department.

The overarching goal is to ‍enhance assistance to municipalities in⁣ preparing for vector control, facilitate early virus detection, mobilize relevant health stakeholders, and improve communication with the public in the event of an alert.

Municipalities at Varying Risk Levels

Other municipalities at high risk include Alcaracejos, Montalbán, Peñarroya-pueblonuevo, Fernán Núñez, Fuente Obejuna,⁢ La Rambla, Lucena, puente Genil, Villanueva de Córdoba, and Villanueva del Rey.

Municipalities at medium risk: Adamuz,Aguilar de ⁢la Frontera,Almedinilla,Baena,benamejí,Bujalance,Cabra,Cañete de las Torres,Carcabuey,Castro del Río,Córdoba Capital,El Carpio,Royal Encinas,Espejo,Fuente-Tojar,La Guijarrosa,la Granjuela,Luque,Montemayor,Montilla,Montor Obejo,Palenciana,Pedro Abad,San Sebastián de los Ballesteros,santaella,Valenzuela,Villa del ‍Río,and ⁣Villafranca de Córdoba.

The following 25 municipalities are considered at ‍low risk: Belalcázar, Belmez, Cardeña, Conquista, Mrs.⁢ Mencía,Dos Torres,el Guijo,El Viso,Espiel,Fuente La lancha,Hinojosa del Duque,Los Blázquez,Pedroche,Pozoblanco,Priego de Córdoba,Rute,Santa Eufemia,Torrecampo,Valsequillo,Villaharta,Villanueva del Duque,Villaralto Villaviciosa and Zuheros.