The Centro de Control de Alertas y Emergencias Sanitarias (Center for the Control of the Alerts and Health Emergencies) of the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Sanidad) and the Generalitat Valenciana are calling for public collaboration in the face of the proliferation of mosquitoes following the floods, through the use of the Mosquito Alert application.

  • With the arrival of new rains, more water can accumulate, favouring the reproduction of mosquitoes.
  • Mosquito Alert, a citizen science initiative with 10 years of experience, is a key tool to combat the proliferation of mosquitoes after floods.

Madrid, 13 November 2024.-

The recent torrential rains have left a significant accumulation of water in the areas affected by the DANA, creating an environment conducive to mosquito breeding. Thus, given the possibility that local councils may be overburdened by the increase in the number of possible affected areas, the use of the ‘Mosquito Alert’ application is being considered.

The Ministry of Health together with the Generalitat Valenciana, have formed a Public Health Response Coordination Group. In view of the health emergency, different groups have been created to address public health issues that may arise. Specifically, part of the Mosquito Alert scientific team, as part of the National Plan for Vector-Borne Diseases, participates in the group dedicated to vector-borne problems, which brings together specialists from different fields from all over the country. With the aim of dealing with the current emergency, it was proposed at the group’s meeting to recommend the use of this application as a complementary way to gather information quickly and efficiently.

Mosquito Alert’ is a free application that allows the collection, centralisation and sharing of information on bites and other data related to the presence of mosquitoes. It functions as an agile communication channel to quickly detect areas with high mosquito proliferation and guide control strategies if necessary.

This application is the result of a citizen science initiative, coordinated by the CSIC and various public research centers, which has years of experience in monitoring and studying the spread of mosquito vectors of disease.

Report when and where you were bitten

To use ‘Mosquito Alert’ all you have to do is download the app on your mobile phone and take a photograph of the mosquito you have detected or information about the bite you have received, fill in a short questionnaire and send it to us. A team of experts will analyse your photo and tell you if it is a species that can transmit diseases. As well as reporting mosquitoes, you can also use the app to report breeding sites.

Mosquito Alert’ app download options

To avoid problems with mosquitoes, insects and rodents, follow these recommendations:

  • Eliminate standing water: Empty or cover any containers that can accumulate water, such as buckets, jerry cans or flower pots.
  • Protect your food: Store food in clean, rodent-proof places. Discard any food that has been in contact with floodwater.
  • Manage your rubbish properly: Deposit rubbish in closed bags inside containers. If there are no dumpsters available, leave it as far away from your home as possible.
  • Use mosquito nets: Retrieve, clean and fit mosquito nets on doors and windows.
  • Protect yourself from bites: Wear clothing that covers most of your skin and apply mosquito repellent to exposed areas.

For more information, contact

Elisa Mora – Communications Manager

elisa.mora@ceab.csic.es – Phone: +34-617-93-71-10

Link to the Ministry of Heath (2024). Sanidad y Generalitat Valenciana piden colaboración ciudadana para controlar el aumento de mosquitos tras la DANA.

https://www.sanidad.gob.es/gabinete/notasPrensa.do?id=6559