YES there are officially more mosquitoes in the area
Lots of people have been suffering with more mosquito bites than normal for this time of year, this is all due to the recent rains of the Gota Fria and the rise in temperatures, where the heat has accelerated the natural cycle of the insect.
Information about Mosquitoes, the best repellents and treatments can all be found here
Some areas such as Elche and Murcia have been badly affected with swarms of mosquitoes, even here in Benidorm we have had more complaints about mosquito bites for this time of year.
Alicante town hall are working round the clock to try and prevent yet more mosquito larvae hatching from the Agua Amarga wetlands. Lokímica, a pest control company in Alicante, are releasing a bacteria called "Bacillus Thuringiensis" which affects the larvae and is safe for all other wildlife in the area.
The City Council of Elche has contacted municipalities of nearby towns to work together to make more fumigation more effective.
The Department of Health calls for citizen help to end the outbreaks, people are asked to -
Make sure no still water is left in plant pots, drainage pipes etc etc Water in pets bowls should be changed more frequently, if you have an unused swimming pool, empty it, basically anything that can contain still water - empty it.
Hospitals and clinics in the area have seen a increase in patients with allergic reactions to insect bites.
If you have an allergic reaction to any bite seek medical advice.
There is also the worry that there will be more sightings of the Tiger Mosquitoes in the area.
According to September data, the Tiger Mosquito has now been detected in 341 Valencian municipalities (two thirds of the total), about thirty more than in August 2018. Areas such as Dos Aguas, Agost, Alcoy, Callosa d'En Sarrià, Finestrat, etc in fact 27 new areas, have been added to the list which indicates that that the tiger mosquito may be here to stay.
Since it was detected in Torrevieja in 2009, its presence has become common in the vast majority of Valencian municipalities. This invasive species, which comes from the Near East, is not only located in the coastal towns, but has shown great adaptability and is increasingly common in populations in the interior of Valencia.
Its spread through the Valencian areas has been very fast because its larvae only need a few drops of water to survive, together with high temperatures.
The main danger is that it is a species that can transmit some infectious diseases such as dengue, Zika or chikungunya.
Chikungunya virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito and is transmitted in a manner similar to that produced by dengue fever and causes a disease with an acute febrile phase It lasts two to five days, followed by a period of pain in the joints of the extremities. Pain that can persist for weeks, months or even years in around 12% of cases. It is important to seek immediate medical advice if you have any of the symptoms mentioned.
Given this, the Department of Health itself has decided to provide intensive fumigation in some municipalities which were affected by the Gota Fria in the Vega Baja.
Warnings about the Tiger Mosquito were reported back in May this year
Information about Mosquitoes, the best repellents and treatments can all be found here
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