On Monday, July 1, the Israeli Ministry of Health reported that 87 people have been diagnosed with West Nile fever to date. There are suspicions of West Nile fever in another 10 patients, whose final diagnosis will be made after receiving test results. Seven patients died from the disease. The average age of the patients is 73 years, with the youngest patient being 8 years old and the oldest 98 years old. All cases of the disease reported were in central Israel.
West Nile fever has long been known in Israel and is caused by the bite of a mosquito infected with a specific virus. The disease is not transmitted from person to person. Approximately 80% of those infected are asymptomatic, while 20% experience symptoms of varying severity including fever, general malaise, headaches, and generalized body pain. Neurological complications occur in less than 1% of those infected, with the greatest risks being present in older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
The Ministry of Health has published detailed information about West Nile fever, translated into Russian. Instructions from the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health have been issued to the population to reduce the risk of West Nile fever infection. Measures include cleaning public sewers, drying up stagnant water sources to prevent mosquito habitats, and removing or covering containers that collect water.
Precautions against mosquito bites include applying insect repellent, installing mosquito repellents in rooms, wearing long, light-colored clothing to reduce exposed skin, and installing insect screens on windows and doorways. It is also recommended to keep fans on in rooms and outside, cover home pools, clean storm gutters, and drain water from flower pots, plant pots, flower vases, and pet water bottles. Citizens are encouraged to report mosquito breeding hazards to local authorities.