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Date Published: 17/05/2022
ARCHIVED - Warm weather in Spain leads to rise in population of disease-spreading black fly
Experts are warning the species, native to Spain, pose a serious health risk
Temperatures have soared in Spain recently and with it a worrying rise in the presence of the virus-spreading 'black fly', a species which is prevalent in the country but is now appearing in locations not seen before.
According to experts, this is directly due to climate change and globalisation, but their presence could pose a health risk as any species infected with a virus can spread diseases through their bite.
Jorge Galván, general director of the National Association of Environmental Health Companies (ANECPLA), explained that "in general we have black flies throughout the national territory, because it is not an invasive species, it is native to Spain, but in Andalusia, Aragon, Catalonia, Madrid, Murcia and Valencia the alarms have been activated, so to speak, and they have been warned because there is now a large presence".
He added that, like other insects, the black fly has been expanding its breeding grounds, and consequently populations because they don't regulate their own body temperature, they adapt to the environment they live in. They therefore thrive when the conditions are "favourable".
"The increase has accelerated their biological cycle which means that they are able to reproduce more times in the same period of time."
The blackfly typically thrives in running, clean water, and the fact rivers now undergo more thorough water analysis and monitoring has led to the development of vegetation that develops within the water, macrophytes. This is the perfect habitat for the reproduction of the black fly which requires that quality of water and vegetation to reproduce.
But why is the black fly such a problem?
According to the environmental expert, the health risk lies in the fact that if the fly has contracted a zoonotic virus, which is transmitted from animals to humans, the species then becomes a vector (an organism, typically a biting insect or tick, that transmits a disease or parasite from one animal or plant to another).
This was the case two years ago in Andalusia when the West Nile fever virus was transmitted to people by mosquitos that had previously drawn blood from an infected organism that was infected.
"It is clear to us that it is capable of inoculating by accessing the bloodstream to draw blood from the organism in order to lay eggs, and there are plenty of viruses that could be transmitted by the black fly, and potentially Covid," said the ANECPLA director who has warned that "population levels have to be kept very low to reduce the risk of transmission".
As such, prevention is key; effective environmental management of rivers, surveillance and monitoring of black fly larvae and adult populations, and an action plan to tackle rising populations.
The black fly is similar to a common fly, but can be differentiated by its size. It is smaller, between 1.5 and 5mm, and its thorax resembles that of a wasp, but anybody who is bitten is unlikely to realise at first as it injects an anaesthetic which soon wears off. Anyone who is bitten is advised not to scratch the area and to apply ice.
To avoid being bitten, ANECPA recommends:
- Wearing light clothing and avoiding bright colours "that may attract swarms"
- Try not to walk along the course of rivers or surrounding areas, especially early in the morning and late in the afternoon
- Install mosquito nets on doors and windows in risk areas
- Avoid accumulation of water outside the house and keep water tanks covered
- Keep drains clear
- Use certified repellents (especially those containing citronella)
Image: ANECPLA
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