An urgent health warning has been sounded for a rare disease in one of Spain's most visited tourist hotspots. The Andalusian region has escalated its alert to level five following the confirmation of two additional cases of the Nile virus. The latest cases, in Seville, takes the total count to four.
The virus can lead to severe symptoms such as headaches, high fever, disorientation, tremors, seizures, paralysis, and even comas, and has already claimed the life of a 71-year-old woman, reports the Mirror . It is believed that the individuals contracted the illness in the Sevillian areas of Los Palacios Villafranca and Coria del Rio. Samples tested at the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital in Granada returned positive results.
READ MORE: 'Beautiful' Roman summer dress with pockets now £32 in sale It is thought the two latest cases are that of a 72-year-old man and a 46-year-old woman. The fourth case is a 41-year-old man who caught the virus in Coria del Rio. He was released from hospital after three days of treatment.
Andalusia's regional government has acknowledged that there has been a noticeable increase in virus activity in several Seville municipalities over recent weeks. They said this "has generated concern among the population and health authorities." In a statement, the Andalusia board said that since 2021, the health department has implemented a Comprehensive Surveillance and Control Programme for West Nile Fever Transmitting Vectors.
Additionally, since 2022, .