Spanish health authorities confirmed the presence of West Nile virus in mosquitoes captured in a residential area of Málaga, in southern Spain, a popular destination for British tourists. The case led to the official declaration of a health alert, which will last at least until the beginning of November.
Alert in Malaga, Cádiz and Seville
The virus was detected in the Tarajal neighborhood, around ten kilometers from the center of Málaga, following laboratory analyzes carried out by the Andalusian Department of Health and Consumption. Similar cases were identified in Tahivilla, in the municipality of Tarifa (Cádiz), and in La Luisiana, in the province of Seville.
According to the authorities, cited by the British newspaper Express, the decision to activate the alert was taken after an urgent risk assessment which concluded that the infected mosquitoes were very close to inhabited areas. The measure, initially valid for four weeks, may be extended beyond November 5 if new cases emerge or more insects carrying the virus are detected.
During this period, monitoring work on mosquitoes, birds and horses will be reinforced, as well as surveillance of possible symptoms in humans.
Symptoms and risks for the population
In most people, West Nile virus (WNV) does not cause symptoms, but about one in five infected people develop fever, headaches, muscle aches and other flu-like symptoms. According to the UK Health Security Agency, these signs usually appear between two and 14 days after infection and disappear within three to six days.
In rare cases, the virus can reach the central nervous system, causing inflammation in the brain or spinal cord, which can be fatal, according to the source cited above.
A British citizen, resident in Hampshire, who contracted the virus during a trip to India, told the BBC that he became “seriously ill” and continues to deal with the after-effects a year later. “He had symptoms similar to those of a stroke. It was scary,” he said, adding that he still suffers from weakness and tremors on the left side of his body.
Schools and homes under special guidance
In Málaga, local authorities are issuing preventive guidelines to schools, homes and residents of affected areas, recommending the use of repellents, clothing that covers the skin and mosquito nets.
In the city of Antequera, also in the province of Málaga, a horse tested positive for Nile fever, confirming that the virus is active in the region. Despite the animal being more than a kilometer from any inhabited area, the area was classified as high risk, according to the source cited above.
Strongly growing cases in Europe
According to data from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), between June and September 2025, 989 cases of infection were recorded in 13 European countries, resulting in 63 deaths.
Most infections occurred in Italy (714 cases), followed by Greece (91), Serbia (60), France (42), Romania (36) and Spain (23).
This year’s numbers already exceed the average for the last decade, which was around 687 cases for the same period. Still, the 2025 outbreak remains below the peaks recorded in 2018, 2022 and 2024, when more than a thousand infections were recorded across Europe.
Reinforced surveillance in southern Spain
Andalusian health authorities guarantee that the virus is “under control”, but warn of the need to maintain reinforced surveillance until winter, when lower temperatures reduce mosquito activity, according to the .
West Nile virus, transmitted by the bites of infected mosquitoes, remains a major public health concern in southern Europe, especially in coastal regions where the hot climate favors its spread.
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