Overview

• The tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) has become endemic across Catalonia and is confirmed to transmit dengue, zika and chikungunya viruses.
• The Generalitat reactivated the arbovirosis protocol after detecting early mosquito breeding sites and concerns over last year’s eight-case dengue outbreak in Vilaseca.
• Unseasonably mild winter followed by abundant spring rains has accelerated mosquito breeding and prompted early surges of cockroaches, bed bugs and moths in urban neighborhoods.
• Seasonal surveys have identified Hyalomma lusitanicum ticks near urban centers but laboratory tests show no Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in Catalonia so far.
• Health authorities and pest control firms are urging residents to eliminate standing water, seal entry points and schedule inspections to reduce vector-borne disease risks this summer.