SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, September 11 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands, through the General Directorate of Public Health, reports this Monday that after exhaustive entomological surveillance work, the episode can be considered overcome and the ‘Aedes aegypti’ mosquito on the island of La Palma has been eradicated. , once 18 months have passed since the last detection.
On March 10, 2022, the Ministry of Health of the Canary Islands, through the General Directorate of Public Health, reported that the Autonomous Surveillance System of the Canary Islands had detected two mosquito larvae, which were confirmed as belonging to the species ‘Aedes aegypti’.
‘Ae. aegypti’ is a vector widely distributed in the world, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, and is associated with the transmission of different viral diseases such as dengue or chi Kungunya, the Ministry details in a note.
Since the detection of this vector on La Palma, exhaustive entomological surveillance work has been carried out, including the installation of traps in 112 strategic points on La Palma, as well as in ports and airports of the archipelago. A bite surveillance program was also activated in all health centers on the island and pharmacy offices.
In this sense, health professionals in the healthcare network were alerted about the risks to be taken into account when providing care to citizens and how to communicate data about the vector and its bite, in addition to carrying out specific training for early recognition of symptoms of associated vector diseases.
The population of La Palma has also been informed during this time of the importance of reporting the presence of mosquitoes and breeding sites in their homes and gardens, as well as any bites that may occur.
Thus, citizens can send photos of suspected presence of Aedes or images of strong inflammatory reactions due to bites if they occur, to the email account vectors.scs@gobiernodecanarias.org, indicating the geographical location in which it has been located and a contact phone number.
This effort has been maintained for the 18 months following its detection and the absence of the vector on the island has been guaranteed.
STRENGTHENING SURVEILLANCE
The Ministry points out that “it is very important” to maintain and reinforce entomological surveillance and vector control activities with the involvement of all sectors, including citizens, to avoid new introductions.
Previously, in 2019 the episode was declared over and the ‘Aedes aegypti’ mosquito was eradicated from the island of Fuerteventura after its detection in 2017.
In December 2022, it was also detected in a home in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, after which tracking, fumigation, trapping and surveillance were carried out without any specimen being detected in the area since then.
Likewise, on September 1, specimens of ‘Aedes albopictus’ were detected in a greenhouse in Tenerife, immediately activating the planned protocol of actions.
The most effective measure against the tiger mosquito is to monitor or eliminate its breeding sites, such as placing sand in the saucers of the pots or emptying and cleaning it once a week to prevent the eggs laid by the females from evolving into adults; avoid growing plants directly in water and change the water in vases daily; place empty pots, bottles, buckets, watering cans and any other container in which irrigation or rainwater may accumulate upside down; avoid flooding in gardens, roofs, balconies or terraces, after irrigation or rain; clean and change water in animal drinkers daily; cover the water tanks well; keep swimming pools well chlorinated;
clean the tray on the outside of the refrigerator and the air conditioning devices where water can accumulate and keep the drains in the external areas clean and check that the water does not remain stagnant.
