Specialist team in protective suits and masks fumigating buildings with a sprayer. Mosquito warning: Spain hit by virus that causes fever and rash.
Credit: Shutterstock, Prostock-studio
A new virus has landed in Spain – and it’s buzzing with trouble. Scientists have detected the unpleasant Sindbis virus in mosquitoes swarming across Andalucía, and while it won’t kill you, it could leave you feverish, aching, and covered in a nasty rash.
What is Sindbis – and how did it get here?
For the first time ever, researchers at the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and Doñana Biological Station have confirmed the presence of Sindbis virus in Spain. This bloodsucker-borne bug has already stirred up trouble in Scandinavia and Algeria, and now it’s taking hold in Málaga, Sevilla, Huelva, and Cádiz. Some experts are concerned that – with the warm weather around the corner – it could soon spread like wildfire. Our feathered friends likely carried the virus over from North Africa or Kenya, passing it to local mosquitoes. Now those mozzies are doing what they do best – snacking on human blood.
Sindbis symptoms
According to experts, the symptoms are a dead ringer for the flu: Fever, headaches, joint pain (like a bad case of arthritis!), and skin rashes. While it’s not as lethal as the West Nile virus, which is also now present in Andalucía, it can still knock you sideways.
The good news? Authorities aren’t sitting on their hands. The same anti-mosquito measures used to tackle West Nile virus – like spraying breeding grounds and controlling standing water – should also help keep Sindbis at bay. They’re killing two birds with one stone.
Why is Andalucía a hotbed for mosquito viruses?
The same species of mosquito spreads them both, and with the region’s warm climate, marshes, and stagnant water, mosquitoes have the perfect playground to go forth and multiply.
According to scientists, the recent discovery of Sindbis in Spain was almost by mistake. Scientists were actually looking at mosquito samples for the West Nile virus when they stumbled upon Sindbis. This is when it dawned on them that the nasty little flu-like bug had been flying under the radar since at least 2017. A whopping 12% of mosquito samples they tested came back positive – meaning this virus isn’t just a tourist, it’s well-established in Spain.
How can you protect yourself from mosquitoes in Spain?
Experts are urging the public to stay vigilant and take precautions:
Avoid mosquito hotspots (especially wetlands and stagnant water areas.)
- Use insect repellent. Citronella is very effective.
- Wear long sleeves and trousers when outdoors.
- Keep windows and doors screened.
Mosquito repellent foods?
While no food can guarantee complete protection from mosquitoes, some foods may help repel them by altering your body’s scent or producing compounds that mosquitoes dislike. Foods like garlic, onions, chillies, basil, mint, and lemons can help repel mosquitoes if consumed regularly as part of your diet.
With cases rising, it’s only a matter of time before more people fall victim to this viral visitor. So if you start feeling under the weather, don’t just blame it on the winter flu.
Stay safe and healthy.
Get more news from around Spain.
Read more news in English from around Europe.
