West Nile virus cases in Andalucía continue to climb, reaching 49 confirmed infections this season

Two new mild cases have been confirmed in Seville province, with 27 municipalities now on alert and Jerez de la Frontera the latest addition to the list

Andalucía's West Nile virus outbreak is continuing to grow. The regional government has confirmed two new mild infections in Seville province, in San Juan de Aznalfarache and Villamanrique de la Condesa, bringing the total number of confirmed human cases this season to 49.

Of those 49 cases, 34 have been mild and 15 have developed the more serious neuroinvasive form of the disease. The season's first death was recorded earlier this month [Aug 5 link], and a total of 17 people have been hospitalised since the count began. Five patients remain in hospital, two fewer than in the previous update.

The outbreak, which has been concentrated largely in Seville province since cases began emerging in the summer [Aug 11 link], shows no sign of abating. Villamanrique de la Condesa leads the municipal case count with 11 confirmed infections, followed by Dos Hermanas with 7 and Coria del Río with 6. La Puebla del Río has registered 5 cases, while Aznalcázar and Almensilla each have 4. Seville city and Palomares del Río have 3 cases each, with single cases also recorded in Hinojos in Huelva province.

The number of municipalities on alert has risen to 27 across Andalucía. Jerez de la Frontera in Cádiz is among the latest to be added, following detection of the virus in animal surveillance, alongside Guillena and Sanlúcar la Mayor in Seville. Other areas on alert span Granada, Jaén, Málaga, Almería, Huelva and 19 municipalities in Seville province.

Being on the alert list means intensified mosquito surveillance, increased monitoring of both animals and people, and a stepped-up public communication effort. Authorities are urging residents and visitors in affected areas to take the standard precautions seriously: use approved repellents, wear light-coloured clothing that covers the arms and legs, fit mosquito nets, and avoid leaving standing water anywhere around the home in flowerpots, buckets or garden features, as these provide ideal breeding conditions for the mosquitoes that transmit the virus.

Testing to date has covered 515 individuals for West Nile fever, with 119 cases of arbovirus-related viral meningitis also detected. More than 3,600 blood donors were screened between June 1 and August 16.

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