No reports of invasive mosquitoes in Fuerteventura

The General Directorate of Public Health of the Canary Health Service (SCS), following established protocols, has kept the Canary Islands Entomological Surveillance System active on Fuerteventura after detecting several adult Aedes albopictus specimens in a residence in the municipality of Tuineje last October.

Following the initial actions taken after the first detection, no additional adult mosquitoes, eggs, or larvae have been found either in the house or in the surrounding areas. Consequently, the Entomological Surveillance System considers that, since no new foci have been identified, the introduction of this species on Fuerteventura appears to have been accidental and isolated. Nevertheless, intensive monitoring will continue for the next eighteen months to ensure that the mosquito does not proliferate.

The surveillance system was activated on 1 October after a resident of Las Casitas sent a photo of a captured specimen from a home in the area. A first inspection confirmed the presence of several adult Aedes albopictus. Once the vector’s presence was verified, technicians installed a BG‑trap and several ovitraps in the affected dwelling, as required by the protocol.

Additional immediate response measures have been implemented by the various administrations, according to their competencies, including:

• Fumigation and placement of extra traps in the affected house and nearby zones.
• Incineration of plant material that contained mosquito eggs.
• Intensified surveillance extended to Gran Tarajal, Antigua, Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Butihondo, Corralejo, and El Cotillo.
• Distribution of informational leaflets on entomological surveillance to residents who reported mosquito sightings.

Citizen Collaboration

If anyone suspects the presence of Aedes mosquitoes or experiences severe inflammatory reactions from bites, they are urged to send photos and details (location and a contact phone number) to [email protected]. Maintaining and strengthening entomological surveillance and vector‑control activities with the involvement of all sectors, including the public, is essential to prevent further introductions.

Measures to Prevent the Spread of Aedes

The Directorate emphasizes that entomological surveillance is the primary strategy to avoid the introduction and establishment of invasive species in the archipelago. The first line of defense is to eliminate any standing water, even in tiny containers such as bottle caps, which can serve as breeding sites.

Recommendations:

• Place sand in plant saucers so that pots can be watered without leaving water in the dishes. If saucers are used, empty and clean them weekly to prevent eggs from developing into adults.
• Avoid growing plants directly in water (e.g., pothos, bamboo, money plant); transfer them to soil. Change the water in flower vases daily.
• Outdoors (gardens, patios, rooftops, terraces, balconies), turn empty pots, bottles, buckets, watering cans, and any other containers upside‑down to prevent water accumulation.
• Prevent waterlogging in gardens, rooftops, balconies, or terraces after irrigation or rain; keep these areas clean and remove plant cuttings that could hold water.
• Clean and refresh animal drinking water daily.
• Keep water storage tanks tightly covered to block mosquito entry, as with any rain‑water collection containers.
• Maintain swimming pools well chlorinated with daily recirculation; empty pools with low water levels pose a high risk.
• Clean the drip trays of refrigerators and air‑conditioning units, including portable equipment, where water can collect.
• Keep external drains clean and ensure water does not stagnate in any part of the system.

Entomological Surveillance System

Since 2013, the Canary Islands have operated an Entomological Surveillance System coordinated by the General Directorate of Public Health in collaboration with the University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the University of La Laguna (ULL). The system, installed at ports and airports under an agreement between the Directorate and the Ministry of Health, tasks both the Public Health Service and the Institute with monitoring the introduction and establishment of invasive mosquitoes and detecting their presence at potential entry points through active trap deployment.

Other Recent Episodes

• In 2019, 2023, and 2024, Aedes aegypti outbreaks were declared over and the mosquito eradicated on Fuerteventura, La Palma, and the El Toscal neighborhood (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), respectively.
• In March 2025, the Aedes albopictus episode in a Tacoronte greenhouse was closed, and in July 2025 the species was declared eradicated in the Vuelta de los Pájaros district of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
• Ongoing episodes remain open for Aedes albopictus detections at Tenerife South Airport and for Aedes aegypti at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the Santa Catalina dock, and the Piletas neighborhood in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.