The Orihuela Council has licited a contract to combat mosquito and chironomid infestations in the municipality. The focus of this service will be on prevention and remedial actions to control pest outbreaks. The budget for this initiative is set at four hundred and two thousand five hundred ninety-six euros and will span a duration of three years, with the possibility of a one-year extension.

Councillor for Environment, Noelia Grao, explained that the actions will cover all potential hotspots where mosquito breeding and excessive populations may occur. Areas of concern will include places with recurring water stagnation such as ditches, streams, and parks, in addition to other locations featuring stagnant waters.

The plan will also include management along the Segura River, addressing spaces that could provide refuge for adult mosquitoes and affect urban populations. This includes residential areas, pathways, and parks with nearby residents.

Grao highlighted that the initiative aims to reduce the presence of organisms that cyclically emerge throughout the municipality, which can negatively impact the quality of life for residents, considering that in certain instances these insects may pose risks to public health.