West Nile Virus Mosquitoes Detected Across Israel

Israel's Ministry of Health and Environmental Protection Ministry announced Wednesday evening that mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus have been trapped at multiple sites throughout the country. Since the beginning of the current disease season, authorities have confirmed 17 cases of infection, including one death and one patient who remains hospitalized.

Infected mosquitoes were detected in the Petah Tikva area, Kafr Qasim, Kafr Bara, near Ben Gurion Airport, and in the Brenner and Central Arava regional councils. The mosquitoes were captured during routine monitoring operations and confirmed as virus carriers by Ministry of Health laboratories.

According to the Health Ministry, most patients experienced symptoms typical of the disease, including fever, rash, and altered consciousness. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify the locations where patients may have been exposed to infected mosquitoes.

The Environmental Protection Ministry has instructed all local authorities, particularly those in areas where infected mosquitoes were found, to expand prevention, monitoring, public education, and pest control efforts.

Professor Sigal Sadetzki, head of the Public Health Division at the Ministry of Health, explained that West Nile fever is transmitted to humans through bites from mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds. "In most cases, it's a mild illness without symptoms, but in rare instances, severe symptoms such as encephalitis or meningitis can develop," she said.

Sadetzki noted that the risk of developing serious illness is higher among people aged 60 and above and those with underlying medical conditions.

Authorities are urging the public to drain and dry standing water sources, including buckets, plant saucers, old tires, gutters, and ornamental pools. Additional recommendations include using approved mosquito repellents, installing window screens, wearing long, light-colored clothing, and operating fans.

If residents encounter a mosquito infestation or standing water in public areas, they should report it to their local authority's 106 hotline. Officials emphasized that public reports enable authorities to quickly target monitoring and control operations in affected areas.