Three horses were diagnosed in Province of Granada With West Nile virus. The first two were diagnosed on October 8 in the cities Atarfe and Pinos Puente. The third case was detected a day later in the village. Zalabi Valleynear Guadix. The first two cases were diagnosed by the same veterinarian within a radius of just 2 km. This has raised concerns about the need to begin implementing disease prevention protocols. And until now, Granada was one of two Andalusian provinces free of the virus. Already only Almeria remained.
To date, no human cases have been identified in Granada. However, the fact that there are sick horses means that mosquitoes carrying the virus have arrived in the province. Therefore, the first step is to strengthen strategies for controlling these insects. Additionally, since a West Nile virus vaccine is available for horses, the veterinarian who identified the cases warns of the importance of obtaining it and administering it to breeders of these animals.
It should be noted that there is currently another province in Andalusia where no cases have been identified in horses or humans, but they have been identified in mosquitoes. It’s about Malaga. In Granada, the virus has not yet been detected in mosquitoes, so we do not know its prevalence. Just in case, it is important for neighbors to avoid mosquito bites as much as possible.
Nile virus in horses
He main tank West Nile virus are birds. This means that it is in them that the pathogen mainly multiplies. As often happens in other natural bodies of water, birds usually do not get sick with the virus. Therefore, they easily spread it over large areas. during their migrations.
This is exactly what is happening in Spain. Birds from Africa carry the virus in their cages. When a mosquito usually floor Culex, It bites birds, it becomes a carrier of the virus, and two things can happen from here. Firstly, it can bite more birds, so continues to multiply as stated above. But, secondly, it can bite other animals that have receptors on their cells. This is the case, for example, with horses and people.
Given that horses typically spend a lot of time outdoors, often near tanks of standing water, it is their infestation that often raises concerns about the presence of mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus. This is exactly what has now happened in Granada.
Why are the cases increasing?
West Nile virus is becoming increasingly common in Spain and other European countries. Migratory birds have always originated from Africa. Mosquito Culex pipiensits main vector in Europe, is one of the most common mosquitoes in Spain: the typical urban mosquito. So what is changing?
As we can already imagine, there can be many reasons, but the main one is climate change. These mosquitoes, like others, require warmth and standing water to lay eggs. Climate change is bringing us much warmer temperatures than usual. There is also little rain, but often when it rains, it pouring. It makes it easier Still water. Otherwise, swamps and ponds are also good places for them to breed.
If there are more mosquitoes, it is easier for infections to spread. Therefore, cases are increasing significantly.
What can we do to prevent West Nile virus?
As with any mosquito-borne virus, it is important to prevent West Nile virus. avoid these insects. To do this, ideally you should put mosquito nets on windows, avoid ponds and swamps, especially at dawn and dusk, use skin repellent and avoid allowing water to stagnate in places such as flowerpot plates or buckets.
Luckily, autumn is here and temperatures are starting to drop in some places. If climate change allows, mosquito season will soon end. But again, we must remember that climate change is a game changer.
Source: Hiper Textual
