Mosquitoes in Gran Canaria - Is there a risk for infectious diseases?

Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands in general, have a relatively low presence of mosquitoes compared to other popular tourist destinations located in areas that have a tropical climate.

Despite having a mild climate all year round, Gran Canaria does NOT have a tropical climate, so you can encounter mosquitoes while on holiday here, there won't be as many as in other areas like South East Asia.

One of the common mosquito species in Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands is the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which can transmit diseases like dengue fever and Zika virus. However, the prevalence of these diseases is rare in the Canary Islands.

Another mosquito species found in the region is the Culex pipiens mosquito, which is a more general nuisance mosquito and is not known for transmitting tropical diseases.

Gran Canaria, like many other destinations, does have mosquitoes, but the mosquito population can vary depending on the time of year, location, and environmental conditions. 

Our experience with mosquitoes in Gran Canaria

We've visited Gran Canaria many times and we can say that we haven't seen a lot of mosquitoes and have not been bothered by them. We didn't have to use mosquito repellent either since we rarely saw any mosquitoes, so we didn't feel the need to use one.

However, we've heard reports from other visitors who complained about being bitten by mosquitoes when visiting Gran Canaria, so maybe we were lucky, or they were extremely unlucky. 

You can buy mosquito repellent spray here in Gran Canaria if you have problems and feel the need to use one.

Report about Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Gran Canaria

Between November 20 and 28, 2023, there have been two detections of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes on the island of Gran Canaria.

The first detection was punctual, of an adult female, after routine analysis of the samples from the entomological surveillance of the Cruise Terminal of the Port of Las Palmas de GranCanary. The second detection initially occurred due to a notice from a citizen at his home in Piletas neighborhood of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. After an investigation was carried out, several other mosquitoes were detected in more than 50 homes, as well as an increase in nuisance due to bites among residents starting from the end of October.

The identification of Ae aegypti has been confirmed in 6 immature forms and 7
adults mosquitoes. Public Health authorities have carried out numerous prevention, surveillance and control measures of mosquitoes and diseases transmitted by them: home inspections, an increase of vector surveillance, clearing and cleaning of the area, treatment of scuppers, chemical control of
mosquito adults and larvae, information to the population and the island's health services, among others.

Given the contact by sea with Madeira and the coast of sub-Saharan Africa, the risk of new introductions in Gran Canaria is considered moderate and sustained in the coming seasons.

Given the observed expansion of the mosquito in the Piletas neighborhood, the risk of establishment and expansion of Ae. aegypti on the island of Gran Canaria is currently considered moderate.

In any case, the risk of indigenous transmission of diseases associated with this type of mosquito is considered low.

However, the introduction of Ae. aegypti in a territory of Spain constitutes a health alert of national and international interest and control actions must be aimed at the eradication of the mosquito from the territory into which it has been introduced.

Is there a risk of Zika, dengue fever or yellow fever in Gran Canaria?

No, there's currently no risk of contracting infectious diseases like dengue fever, Zika, or yellow fever from mosquitoes in Gran Canaria.

Even according to the CDC website, the Canary Islands are listed as green areas, so travelling here does not pose any health risks in terms of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.

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