In a statement sent to Lusa news agency, the Coimbra Local Health Unit (ULS) reported that the presence of the Aedes albopictus mosquito (known as the "tiger mosquito") was detected in Condeixa-a-Nova, in the district of Coimbra.

To reduce breeding sites for the species, the institution urged the population to adopt measures such as removing or turning upside down containers that collect water (drums, buckets, and saucers).

Among other actions, they highlighted cleaning gutters, and drains to prevent water accumulation; covering water reservoirs (cisterns, wells, and tanks); keeping swimming pools clean, maintained, or properly covered; and changing the water in water fountains and animal bowls at least once a week.

Proper garbage disposal is also important, as plastics, cans, and packaging can accumulate water. Used tires should be disposed of properly, or they should be returned to collection points or kept dry and sheltered.

For personal protection against mosquito bites, the guidelines include the use of repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535; long clothing, especially at dawn and dusk; and mosquito nets on windows and doors.

The Coimbra Public Health Unit (ULS) also emphasized "the importance of downloading the Mosquito Alert mobile app" so users can record their observations.

In the event of a diagnosis of a mosquito-borne disease (dengue, Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever, or other), timely reporting to the National Epidemiological Surveillance System (SINAVE) is mandatory.

In July 2024, the State Health Department (Sectional) recommended that city governments, tourism businesses, and entities in the agricultural, industrial, and other sectors adopt measures to prevent and control the mosquito that transmits Zika and dengue.

In guidance published on its website, the DGS stated that, given the detection of the invasive species Aedes albopictus in various parishes and municipalities in mainland Portugal, it is important to strengthen prevention and control mechanisms aimed at reducing the abundance or eliminating this mosquito species.

According to the DGS, the most recent detections of the invasive mosquito in Portugal were recorded in the municipalities of Cascais and Pombal and correspond to risk level 1 (yellow) on a scale of 0 to 3, defined according to the different scenarios regarding the presence of Aedes mosquitoes and the detection of disease cases, as defined in the National Plan for the Prevention and Control of Vector-Borne Diseases.

The presence of invasive Aedes mosquitoes in Portugal began with the detection of Aedes aegypti in Madeira in 2005. The Aedes albopictus species was introduced to the mainland in 2017 in the North (Penafiel), in 2018 in the Algarve (Loulé), and in 2022 in the Alentejo (Mértola).

At the end of September of this year, the tiger mosquito was also detected in Covilhã, in the Castelo Branco district.