Date Published: 08/09/2025

West Nile virus returns to Spain, raising health alert

First case confirmed in Menorca as authorities heighten surveillance to protect residents and tourists

The West Nile virus has reappeared in Spain with the first confirmed case detected in an infected horse in Mahon, Menorca. This adds to recent findings of West Nile virus detected in mosquitoes in Pulpí and Mojácar, Almería, close to the Region of Murcia border. Although no human cases have yet been reported in Murcia or the Balearic Islands, health authorities have activated enhanced surveillance to monitor the virus’s spread, aiming to prevent infection in humans.

The virus is primarily spread through mosquito bites after mosquitoes feed on infected wild birds, which act as “sentinel” species showing symptoms before the disease reaches humans or other animals. Although there have been no human cases reported yet in the Balearic Islands, concerns are rising, especially as late summer approaches when mosquitoes are most active.

The British press has raised an alert for tourists travelling to Spain, advising them to take simple but effective precautions. These include using mosquito repellent, wearing long sleeves and trousers, and avoiding outdoor activities at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most likely to bite. Symptoms of the virus can range from fever and headache to rash and nausea. Severe cases, which are more likely to affect people over 50 or those with weakened immune systems, can lead to meningitis or encephalitis.

The alert has also extended to Andalucía, where authorities have found infected mosquitoes in Huelva. West Nile virus outbreaks have occurred several times in Spain in recent years, with 77 cases reported in 2020 and 138 last year, including 15 deaths. These statistics underscore the importance of continued vigilance and preventive measures across the country.

Residents and visitors alike are urged to remain cautious, especially as the virus’s presence has been confirmed in a new area.

You might also be interested in: Keeping mosquitos out of your home in Spain

Image: FRANCO PATRIZIA/Pixabay

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