Based on data from previous years, the announcement reveals that the incidence of the disease tends to rise from June onwards. In the beginning of 2024, two people fell ill and one person died from the disease, as reported to the Epidemiology Division of the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Environmental Protection explains that the pest control and extermination team conducts hundreds of captures and thousands of monitoring of mosquito larvae each season. The mosquitoes are then transferred to the Ministry of Health laboratories for testing, and if infected mosquitoes are detected, an alert is issued to the local authorities for immediate treatment.
Dr. Oren Ashet Kathabi, Director of the Department of Zoonotic Diseases from the Public Health Division of the Ministry of Health, explains the process of capturing and testing mosquitoes for infection with disease agents. The Ministry of Health clarifies that West Nile Fever is a disease originating from animals and transmitted to humans through infected mosquitoes that have fed on birds carrying the virus.
The incubation period for the disease is 5 to 21 days, with symptoms typically lasting 3-6 days and resembling a mild flu-like illness. Possible complications include acute inflammation of the brain or meningitis, with rare cases resulting in death. Dr. Shai Reicher, Director of the Pest Control and Pest Control Division at the Ministry of Environmental Protection, emphasizes the importance of responsible and informed behavior in reducing the risk of contracting West Nile fever.
The ministry advises draining and drying sources of stagnant water to eliminate breeding grounds for mosquitoes, as well as taking protective measures against mosquito bites. The public is encouraged to use insect repellents and accessories to keep mosquitoes away, while also being vigilant in emptying or changing water in containers where water may accumulate. These actions aim to reduce infection and morbidity from West Nile fever, particularly in the South Sharon region.