West Nile fever spreads: Infected mosquitoes caught in six locations across the country

The Ministry of Health announced the capture of mosquitoes infected with West Nile fever in six locations across the country. Since the beginning of the season, 17 patients have been diagnosed, one has died and one is hospitalized. The affected local authorities have been instructed to expand prevention and pest control operations.

The Ministry of Health announced today (Wednesday) that mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus were caught in six locations across the country: the Petah Tikva area, Kafr Qasim, Kafr Bara, Ben Gurion Airport, the Brenner Regional Council, and the Central Arava Regional Council. Since the beginning of the active season, 17 patients have been diagnosed, one of whom has died and another person is still hospitalized. Most patients suffered from fever, rash, and changes in consciousness. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify the possible site of exposure to mosquitoes. The Ministry of Environmental Protection instructed the local authorities, particularly those where the mosquitoes were found, to expand prevention, monitoring, information, and pest control operations. The ministries remind that during the summer months, the risk of mosquito development increases due to standing water and hot, humid weather. The public is asked to dry up sources of standing water, use an approved mosquito repellent, install screens on windows, and wear long, light-colored clothing. Prof. Sigal Sadetsky, head of the Public Health Division, stated that the disease is usually mild without symptoms, but in rare cases can cause encephalitis or meningitis, mainly among people aged 60 and over and those with underlying conditions.