Costa Blanca residents asked to help track disease-carrying mosquitoes using mobile app

Costa Blanca residents are being asked to assist in tracking disease-carrying mosquitoes using the Mosquito Alert mobile app. Health authorities are enhancing monitoring of species that can transmit diseases like chikungunya, dengue, and West Nile virus. Through the citizen science app, people can submit photographs, report breeding sites, and record bites to help specialists monitor mosquito activity.

Observations from the public are reviewed and integrated with official systems, allowing residents to contribute valuable information about mosquito presence in their area. This initiative is especially pertinent to the Mediterranean coast, where the tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, has already established itself. Monitoring is crucial as some mosquito species can spread diseases.

Spain reported 108 chikungunya cases and 124 dengue cases by July 19, compared to previous years, though no locally transmitted cases have been confirmed in 2026. One West Nile virus case has been recorded in Alicante province, and two in Sevilla. By participating in the Mosquito Alert app, residents can help authorities identify mosquito species, locate breeding areas, and detect invasive species in regions where they were previously unknown.

The app, operational since 2014, has aided in the identification of invasive mosquitoes in over 500 Spanish municipalities and contributed to 32 percent of the first recorded detections. Residents are encouraged to use the app to submit sightings, breeding locations, and reports of bites, as mosquito activity is most noticeable during warmer months. For more information on the app and how to participate, visit mosquitoalert.com.