Alicante braces itself for another “biblical plague”

JUST as the Alicante region is counting the costs of the worst floods in recorded history to hit the province, biology experts and warning of a secondary catastrophe to emerge from the flood waters.

As parts of the region remain under water, the stagnant and murky swamps provide perfect breeding grounds for a multitude of insects including millions of biting flies such as the aggressive tiger mosquito.

Experts and workers from environmental agencies in the Alicante and Elche areas are spraying marshland and water logged fields with insecticide to try to stem the production hatching of the insects.

The precaution comes after the regions medical centres were inundated with patients after a swarm of biting mosquitos took over the area, leaving many suffering itchy and painful bites.

Environmental experts are also warning of the possibility that the marsh areas are harbouring the eggs of the Asian tiger mosquitos.

This invasive species has spread rapidly throughout Europe in the past years and has the potential to carry serious diseases.