Compiled with the help of artificial intelligence, based on Spanish-language information. Source below the article.
Invasive mosquito species detected in Gran Canaria
The Directorate-General for Public Health of the Canary Islands has confirmed the detection of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the Pueblo de Mogán area of Gran Canaria. This notification follows the discovery last week of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the same municipality, specifically in the Motor Grande area, according to a press release from the Regional Ministry of Health.
How the investigation unfolded
The episode began with a citizen alert received through the institutional email address set up for entomological surveillance in the Canary Islands, in which a resident reported mosquito bites at a property in the urban centre of Mogán.
During the initial inspection of the property by staff from the University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands at the University of La Laguna (IUETSPC-ULL) and the Gran Canaria Health Area, several larvae morphologically compatible with the Aedes genus were collected and transported to the Medical Entomology laboratory at IUETSPC-ULL.
The Regional Ministry added that results confirmed the larvae belong to the Aedes aegypti species.
Surveillance measures stepped up
Following this finding, the Canary Islands Entomological Surveillance System has been reinforced. It had recently been activated in Mogán after the detection of Aedes albopictus specimens in the Motor Grande area.
As set out in the protocol for such cases, various types of traps have already been placed at the property and in its surrounding area, and inspection and public information efforts have been intensified in this part of the municipality to alert residents to the presence of these invasive mosquitoes.
Available evidence so far suggests this appears to be an accidental, isolated introduction of the vector through material capable of containing eggs of this mosquito species.
Following confirmation of the specimens, actions to be carried out by the Directorate-General for Public Health, IUETSPC-ULL and Mogán Town Council have been determined in accordance with the protocol.
Previous eradications and ongoing episodes
Since the Canary Islands Entomological Surveillance Service was launched, episodes of Aedes aegypti were declared resolved and the mosquitoes eradicated in Fuerteventura in 2019, La Palma in 2023 and the El Toscal neighbourhood of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2024.
In March 2025, the Aedes albopictus episode at a greenhouse in Tacoronte was closed, and in July of that same year the Aedes albopictus mosquito was declared eradicated in the Vuelta de los Pájaros neighbourhood of the Tenerife capital.
In addition, episodes remain open following the detection of Aedes albopictus specimens at Tenerife South Airport and in the municipality of Tuineje in Fuerteventura, and of Aedes aegypti at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, as well as at Muelle Santa Catalina and in the Piletas neighbourhood of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
These are in addition to the Aedes albopictus notification at the end of September in Valle Gran Rey, La Gomera, and last week’s detection in the Motor Grande area of Mogán, also of A. albopictus.
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