West Nile Virus Alert: 17 Cases Confirmed in Israel

Israel's Ministry of Health and Ministry of Environmental Protection have issued an urgent public health alert after mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus were trapped in three regional council areas: the Jezreel Valley in the north, Hefer Valley in central Israel, and Sha'ar HaNegev in the south.

Since the beginning of the current transmission season, 17 people have been diagnosed with West Nile virus in Israel, according to Health Ministry data. One person has died from complications of the disease, and another remains hospitalized. Most of those diagnosed experienced characteristic symptoms including fever, rash, and altered mental status. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify possible exposure sites.

In response to these findings, the Ministry of Environmental Protection has instructed all local authorities, particularly those where infected mosquitoes were trapped, to immediately expand prevention, monitoring, public education, and pest control operations in their jurisdictions to reduce public health risks.

Summer poses heightened risk: How to protect yourself

The summer months, characterized by hot, humid weather and standing water sources, create ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. While local authorities bear responsibility for addressing public health hazards in communal spaces, government ministries emphasize that the public plays a critical role in prevention efforts.

Key guidelines for residents include:

Eliminate standing water: Drain and dry water that has accumulated in buckets, plant saucers, old tires, gutters, ornamental pools, barrels, and any other containers.
Personal protection: Use approved mosquito repellent (containing active ingredients such as DEET) according to manufacturer instructions.
Barriers and clothing: Install screens on windows and doorways, and wear long, light-colored clothing, especially during evening and nighttime hours.
Air circulation: Operating fans at home, on patios, and in gardens helps keep mosquitoes away.
Timely reporting: Report any mosquito infestation or standing water in public areas to the municipal 106 hotline.

There is a normal seasonal increase in the prevalence of virus-carrying mosquitoes between June and November. Pest control teams from the Ministry of Environmental Protection conduct thousands of monitoring operations and hundreds of trapping sessions throughout the year, with samples sent to Health Ministry laboratories for testing.

Professor Sigal Sadetzki, head of the Public Health Division at the Ministry of Health, explained: "West Nile fever is a disease transmitted to humans through the bite of mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds. In most cases it is a mild illness without symptoms, but in exceptional cases severe symptoms such as encephalitis or meningitis may appear. The risk of serious illness is higher among people aged 60 and over and those with underlying medical conditions, so it is especially important to adhere to preventive measures."

Dr. Shai Reicher, director of the Pests and Pest Control Division at the Ministry of Environmental Protection, added: "In recent days, mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus have been trapped at several sites in the north, center, and south of the country. All reports received indicate the presence of virus-carrying mosquitoes in a nationwide distribution. The ministry has issued detailed instructions to local authorities to take extensive action without delay. At the same time, the public is asked to report any infestation to the local authority to enable rapid action to eliminate it."