The National Association of Environmental Health Companies (ANECPLA) has warned about the spread of the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), the increase in tick populations, and the risk associated with certain species of disease-carrying mosquitoes—factors which, according to the organization,…
The National Association of Environmental Health Companies (ANECPLA) has warned about the spread of the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), the increase in tick populations, and the risk associated with certain species of disease-carrying mosquitoes. According to the organization, these factors have placed vectors and invasive species among the “top priorities” for environmental health in Spain.
“No animal is a pest in itself. A rat, a tick, or a mosquito becomes a pest when it is in a particular place and in a particular quantity that has a negative impact on our health, well-being, or perception of a healthy environment,” explained ANECPLA Director General Manuel García. He noted that Spain is facing increasingly complex challenges linked to climate change, global mobility, and ecosystem disruption.
According to García, some species are particularly significant from a public health perspective because they act as disease vectors, as is the case with ticks and certain mosquitoes, whose presence “requires continuous monitoring” even when their populations are not particularly large.
“Globalization and climate change are driving the arrival and spread of invasive species and disease vectors”
“Seeing a tick in the countryside is not a problem; that is its natural habitat. The situation changes when it appears in our garden or attaches itself to a person, because there is then a health risk that must be properly managed,” the director said.
ANECPLA recalled that ticks are vectors for various pathogens of public health concern and can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, Mediterranean spotted fever, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, among others. The organization recommends that, following a bite, the tick be removed as quickly as possible using tweezers, grasping the parasite as close to the skin as possible and removing it with gentle, continuous traction. It also recommends visiting a healthcare facility if the tick cannot be completely removed, if parts remain embedded, or if there is any uncertainty about the bite.
In the area of urban pests, ANECPLA said cockroaches continue to account for the largest number of professional pest-control interventions, followed by rodents—particularly rats—and other organisms such as mosquitoes, wasps, ants, and pigeons.
“POINT OF NO RETURN”
The organization said that one of the species causing the greatest concern is the Asian hornet, classified as an invasive alien species. Although eradication is theoretically the goal, the reality observed across much of mainland Spain makes this “unlikely.”
“Vespa velutina has probably passed a point of no return in many areas of Spain. The experience of France and the rapid spread observed along the Cantabrian coast indicate that we are dealing with a species that has, in all likelihood, come to stay,” García said.
“We need more monitoring, more prevention, and more information for the public”
The association nevertheless called for alarmism to be avoided, noting that available data do not show a disproportionate increase in stings among the general population, although close contact with a nest represents the greatest risk.
“What is truly dangerous is trying to remove or treat a nest yourself. People should avoid home remedies and always rely on specialists, because improvised interventions greatly increase the risk to people,” warned ANECPLA’s director general, who spoke positively about monitoring and control programs implemented by various regional and local authorities.
Alongside the Asian hornet, ANECPLA identifies West Nile virus as one of the main vector-related concerns in Spain, as it is associated with mosquitoes of the Culex genus, whose distribution and period of activity are being altered by climatic conditions.
“Globalization and climate change are driving the arrival and spread of invasive species and disease vectors. We need more monitoring, more prevention, and more information for the public, always taking an approach based on scientific evidence and cooperation between authorities, experts, and specialized companies,” García concluded.
ConSalud content is produced by journalists specializing in health and endorsed by a committee of leading experts. Nevertheless, readers are advised to consult a healthcare professional with any health-related questions.
