¿Pueden la malaria y el dengue reaparecer en España?

Abstract

The recent increase in immigration to Spain has facilitated the importation of many tropical diseases. Among these diseases, those of vectorial origin are among the most difficult to study. Some of the reasons for this difficulty are the complexity due to the variety of hosts involved in the transmission cycles and the need to know all the physiological, bioecological and biogeographic parameters related to the vector in order to infer the actual possibilities of the emergence or reemergence of these diseases. This article provides information on imported diseases of unquestionable epidemiological interest for the population in Spain due to the presence of several species of culicid mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae) capable of transmitting these diseases in our country. Parasitic diseases such as malaria, which was highly endemic in Spain until 50 years ago, and other arboviral infections such as dengue and yellow fever, are analyzed in these terms. Various aspects related to the health system, as well as the different ways of tackling these issues, are also discussed.

Imported submicroscopic malaria in Madrid

“…Autochthonous malaria cases have been reported in Azerbaijan, France, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Russian Federation, Spain and Ukraine in the same period of time [13,15,25,26]. The possibility of transmission in SMM has been described in endemic zone for malaria [8,12], and presence of a suitable vector in Europe ( Anopheles atroparvus , Anopheles claviger or Anopheles maculipennis ) has also been reported [27,28]. Since the implementation of molecular tests for all symptom-free individuals coming from endemic area is too expensive, the possibility of a re-emergence of malaria ( Plasmodium vivax ) in Europe can only be speculated.…”

Laboratory colonization and maintenance of Anopheles atroparvus from the Ebro Delta, Spain

“…They are commonly collected along river and lake margins, marshes, irrigation canals and especially in rice fields (primary larval habitat), where aquatic vegetation provides protection from predators and a cooler environment [8,9]. Anopheles atroparvus has been described as an endophilic, most commonly endophagic, and zoophilic species with a marked preference for domestic farm animals [10][11][12][13][14]. Due to its association to human settlements, An.…”

Factors associated with risk behavior in travelers to tropical and subtropical regions

“…Population movements suppose a risk for both individual and public health, as travel facilitates the spread of infectious diseases from endemic regions. This may involve the reintroduction of infections in previously unexposed populations and an increased incidence of infections already existing in the host countries [10][11][12][13] .…”