The Basque Government presents the new Guide for local councils on the prevention and control of the tiger mosquito

12/06/2026

The document, drawn up by the Basque Government’s Department of Health and the NEIKER technology centre in collaboration with several Basque local councils, is designed as a “toolkit” for local action, focusing on prevention, surveillance and raising awareness, fostering a coordinated and effective response based on technical expertise. 

The Basque Country has now launched the 2026 Surveillance Programme for the Detection of the Tiger Mosquito and is stepping up prevention efforts against this invasive species through initiatives in around 50 municipalities. 

Control is carried out through sampling, having already been detected in 72 municipalities. Public cooperation and the work of municipal services are key to preventing its spread by eliminating potential breeding sites and avoiding the accumulation of water. 

Today, the Basque Government’s Department of Health, the NEIKER technology centre and Bilbao City Council have presented in Bilbao the new municipal guide for the prevention and control of invasive Aedes mosquitoes, such as the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), which is a key tool to strengthen the institutional response to this growing public health challenge. 

The event was attended by the Director of Public Health and Addictions at the Basque Government’s Department of Health, Guillermo Herrero; the Scientific Director of NEIKER, Joseba Garrido; and the Director of Health and Consumer Affairs at Bilbao City Council, Ana Collía, alongside technical staff from the three organisations involved in drawing up the document. 

The guide aims to provide local councils with practical, flexible and adaptable tools to prevent the spread of the tiger mosquito and reduce the risk of disease transmission, such as dengue, Zika or chikungunya. The document, drawn up by the Department of Health and NEIKER, in collaboration with Bilbao, Donostia/San Sebastián, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Erandio and Zarautz Councils within the framework of the European LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project, proposes a progressive approach—basic, intermediate and advanced—and is designed as a “toolkit” for local action, focusing on prevention, surveillance and raising awareness. It aims to foster a coordinated and effective response based on technical expertise, in which the involvement of local authorities and citizens is essential. 

The tiger mosquito poses a public health challenge that requires a comprehensive approach based on the “One Health” framework, in line with the provisions of the Basque Health Pact, which recognises the close relationship between human health, environmental health and the effects of climate change. The spread of vectors such as the tiger mosquito is a clear example of this interconnection. 

“Anticipate and eliminate breeding grounds” 

During his speech, Guillermo Herrero, Director of Public Health and Addictions in the Basque Government’s Department of Health, highlighted the importance of prevention, stating that “controlling the tiger mosquito is key to preventing the transmission of viral diseases, such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. The best preventive strategy is to anticipate and avoid the conditions that favour its reproduction". In this respect, he highlighted the essential role of local councils, “if we want to stop transmission, we must take action in the areas where the mosquito finds conditions conducive to its development. "Municipal involvement is one of the most effective measures to protect public health". 

Joseba Garrido, Scientific Director of NEIKER, highlighted the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and the role of science and research in solving problems that affect citizens. “This guide is the result of collaboration between various Basque Government departments and several local councils, which have joined forces to develop a tool aimed at both institutions and the general public”. He also noted that it “forms part of an ongoing collaboration between NEIKER, the Department of Health and other organisations, through which we jointly address challenges, such as zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and other public health issues using a “One Health” approach”. 

Ana Collía, Director of Health and Consumer Affairs in Bilbao City Council, mentioned the importance of addressing the issue in a cross-cutting way, providing a joint response, including at the municipal level. She stated that “coordinated management among the various departments involved at the municipal level is essential, through a Comprehensive Municipal Vector Control Plan”. 

Following the presentation of the guide in Dario Regoyos Park in Bilbao, municipal technicians gave a practical demonstration of the prevention, monitoring and control tools, such as inspections, traps and sampling techniques. This was followed by a workshop for technical staff from local councils, in order to explore the content of the guide in greater depth and facilitate its implementation at the local level. 

Launch of the 2026 Surveillance Programme 

Coinciding with the presentation of the guide, the Department of Health has announced the launch of the Surveillance Programme for the Detection of the Tiger Mosquito in the Basque Country, which this year plans to carry out actions in around 50 municipalities, 15 in Alava, 19 in Bizkaia and 16 in Gipuzkoa. Surveillance will begin on 15 June and will run until mid-autumn, covering the period of peak activity for the tiger mosquito. 

The programme, which has been running since 2013, is based on a system of trap-based sampling in urban and peri-urban areas, which enables the presence and distribution of the mosquito to be monitored and the risk in each region to be assessed. To date, the Asian tiger mosquito has been detected in 72 Basque municipalities, particularly in densely populated urban areas, highlighting the need for active and sustained surveillance. Hence the importance of the municipal guide presented today, which is a tool to facilitate the prevention and control of this species. 

Prevention, key to curbing its spread 

Public cooperation, along with the efforts of municipal services, is key to curbing the spread of the tiger mosquito, primarily by taking measures to prevent its reproduction. Mosquitoes only need small amounts of water to lay their eggs, so the most effective approach is to eliminate these potential breeding sites by preventing water from accumulating in our homes and urban areas. 

• Prevent water from accumulating in containers, gutters, drains or sewers 
• Empty plant pot saucers, buckets, toys or water deposits twice a week 
• Keep containers that hold water covered 
• Change the water in animal drinking troughs frequently 
• Use mosquito nets on windows and water deposits 

It is also recommended to pay special attention to areas such as allotments and cemeteries, where water can accumulate more easily. Citizens can also help detect them by using the Mosquito Alert app, which enables users to geolocate and report the presence of the insect: https://www.mosquitoalert.com/ 

What to do if you get stung 

This small, black mosquito (around 5 mm) which is recognisable by a white stripe on its head and thorax, is active during the day, so it usually bites in the daytime. Furthermore, it is common for the mosquito to bite several times in a row. Tiger mosquito bites can be more painful and cause a severe reaction so it is recommended to clean the area with soap and water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and relieve itching. Avoid scratching to prevent the area from becoming infected. If the reaction is very severe and causes discomfort or even difficulty in breathing, consult a healthcare professional. 

Anyone who has travelled to a risk area should take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites for 15 days after returning. If symptoms are also experienced (mainly fever, signs of pain, discomfort, etc.), the local health centre should be contacted immediately. This invasive species is capable of transmitting diseases, such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya, although the likelihood of transmission in the Basque Country is very low as no indigenous cases have been detected. 

More information on the tiger mosquito, its prevention and the surveillance programme is available on the Department of Health’s website:https://www.euskadi.eus/informacion/mosquito-tigre-aedes-albopictus/web01-a2ingsan/es/