Representatives of the Junta de Andalucía and the Provincial Council of Jaén met this Monday to Intensify surveillance and control of VNO in Jaén and for reaffirm the commitment to address this public health challenge through institutional collaboration.
The meeting takes place, after having known the two deaths of a man and a woman residing in the province of Jaén, and that they were admitted to the Reina Sofía University Hospital in Córdoba infected with the West Nile virus (WNV) which have not been confirmed by Health that the cause of death is due to the Virus.
The two administrations coordinated the next actions that will be launched on the territory and thus united all the resources available in the fight against the West Nile virus, a disease that already affects several municipalities in the province.
Actions to intensify control
The representatives of the Junta de Andalucía reported on all the actions already carried out in the province of Jaén by this administration, among which are: the intensification of vector surveillance and control campaigns in areas where a possibility of mosquito circulation has been detected, the increase in the number of traps in the province in order to have better monitoring of mosquitoes and a better diagnosis of the situation, as well as the intensification of surveillance of horses. In addition, the need for and effectiveness of a supra-municipal approach for greater effectiveness in controlling adults and larvae of these mosquitoes.
THE Provincial Council For his part, at the request of the Andalusian Government, he assess the subcontracting of biocide services through a company with proven technical solvency for the treatment and control of peri-urban areas of municipalities in which confirmed cases have been reported and are at risk level 5 and in those in which new circulation is detected. Likewise, during the meeting, the foundations were laid for a foreseeable future commitment to the municipalities for the year 2025.
To implement these actions, the Ministry will provide specialized technical assistance, coordination in the implementation of measures in the municipalities concerned, as well as all powers related to health and control; in addition to the rental of new traps for monitoring.
Both institutions have shown their willingness to work in a coordinated manner significantly reduce the likelihood of transmission to the population.
WNV infection
It’s a zoonosis transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Culex. The disease affects countries of Southern, Eastern and Western Europe. The virus is transmitted among the birds through the bite of infected mosquitoes, this is its natural cycle. Humans and other mammals can be collaterally infected, without new transmissions coming from it. About 80% of WNV infections in humans They are asymptomatic. FNO is the most common clinical presentation. Elderly and immunocompromised people are at higher risk to develop West Nile neuroinvasive disease.
The Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs stresses the need for the population to maintain the preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites during the hours of greatest activity of the species transmitting this disease (around dawn and after dusk), both individual –use of approved topical repellents and light clothing covering most of the skin–, as well as domestic –use of mosquito nets or environmental repellents– especially for the vulnerable population whose immunity is compromised.
These recommendations should include avoid accumulation of peridomestic water (gardens, pots, tools, etc.) to prevent them from being used for the development of mosquito larvae.
Present at the meeting were: Director General of Public Health and pharmaceutical management, Jorge del Diego; the territorial delegate of Health and Consumption, Elena González; the deputy director of Health Protection of the Ministry, Ulises Ameyugo; and the head of Public Health of Jaén, Lourdes Ballesteros; who were in charge of presenting the representatives of the Provincial Council of Jaén, in which Pilar Parra, second vice-president and deputy of Economy, Finance, also participated.
