Thursday, 28 January 2016 14:24

The Canary Islands: Zika & Disease-Free Despite The Heat

The mosquito that transmits Zika virus doesn't live in the Canary Islands The mosquito that transmits Zika virus doesn't live in the Canary Islands Wikipedia

Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands may be hot and sunny but they are free of all infectious diseases like malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, chikungunya and  the zika virus.

UPDATE: In December 2017, a small number of Aedes aegypti mosquitos, which can transmit Dengue, Zika and Yellow Fever, were detected in Fuerteventura. Fortunately, they were disease free and the island's biological control unit expects to have them eradicated before the start of 2018. The Canary Islands have a thorough insect monitoring program and no native disease-carrying mosquitos. 

There are several reasons why the Canaries are disease-free...

The Canary Islands are subtropical rather than tropical. This means that it is too cool and dry for many tropical mosquitos and the diseases they carry to survive.

The mosquito species that transmits most tropical diseases (including Zika virus) doesn't live in the Canary Islands there have never been any cases of Canarians or tourists catching a mosquito-borne disease in the Canary Islands from the native mozzies.

Another factor that protects the islands is that it is dry most of the time so there are no puddles for mosquitos to breed in. While tropical destinations get regular rain, it doesn't rain often enough in the Canary Islands for puddles. 

Also, the area of Africa closest to the Canaries is very dry so mosquitos don't blow over.

You don't ever see it, but Canarian airports also have sophisticated trapping systems designed to catch any exotic mozzies that hide away inside aeroplanes. Since most flights to the islands come in from Europe, the risk of exotic mosquitos escaping is low anyway. With Zika virus spreading in South America, precautions in the Canaries have been stepped up just in case.

As a further precaution, all the reservoirs and water tanks in rural areas are stocked with little fish called mosquito fish which eat mosquito larva.

If you are sensitive to mosquito bites, then it is sensible to take precautions in the Canary Islands as the local mozzies do bite. Local supermarkets sell excellent plugins that emit a smell that mosquitos hate; They cost about 5 euros for the device and enough liquid to last for 30 nights. Outdoors there isn't much you can do except apply a mild mosquito repellent (one containing DEET is most effective). 

Published in Guide

Join the Gran Canaria Info newsletter list

endanlfifrdeisitnoplptruessv

 

 

Follow us on Facebook

Tip of the day

  • Tip Of The Day: Anfi Island Swimming Area
    Tip Of The Day: Anfi Island Swimming Area

    If Anfi beach is busy or you just want to swim in cool, deep water, then walk out onto the heart-shaped island and you’ll find a set of steps and a safe swimming area just next to the ferry dock.

Latest articles

Who's Online

We have 4002 guests and no members online

Login / Register

Take this website to the max, login or create an account now! By clicking on any Social Media platform logo, you can login with just one click.