On Monday, June 24, the Ministry of Health reported that 32 patients had been diagnosed with West Nile fever. Of these, 27 were hospitalized, with three requiring mechanical ventilation. Tragically, two individuals had passed away from the disease at Beilinson hospital in the past week. All patients were residents of central Israel.
Local municipal services in the region are actively searching for and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds to prevent the spread of the disease. In response to the outbreak, the Ministry of Health has issued updated guidelines to hospitals nationwide, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and disease prevention. West Nile fever is a known issue in Israel that is caused by mosquito bites carrying a specific virus but not transmitted from person-to-person.
About 80% of those infected show no symptoms, while 20% can experience varying degrees of severity, including fever, headaches, and body pain. Neurological complications are rare and affect less than 1% of those infected. The elderly and individuals with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of developing severe symptoms.
As measures are taken to control the outbreak and treat those affected, it is crucial for the public to be aware of the symptoms and take precautions to prevent mosquito bites in order to reduce the spread of West Nile fever.
