West Nile fever: the number of infected doubled within a week to 300, four died from the disease

The number of people infected with West Nile fever doubled within a week and rose to 300 patients, the Ministry of Health said. Four patients died in the last few days. Since the outbreak of the disease, 15 patients have died from it.

The Ministry of Health also stated that approximately 80% of those infected do not develop symptoms of West Nile fever. Approximately 20% of those infected will have symptoms of varying severity, including fever, general malaise, headaches or generalized body aches. Neurological complications will appear in less than 1% of those infected. It should be noted that the virus is not contagious from person to person, and the disease does not pass back from the person to the mosquito.

The Ministry of Health, it was reported, refined instructions for the medical teams and directed them to emphasize the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease.

In order to reduce exposure to mosquitoes, the Ministry of Health recommends using mosquito repellents and appropriate accessories to keep mosquitoes away in the living rooms, as well as turning on fans in the place of stay.

West Nile fever has been known in Israel for many years and occurs mainly between the months of June and November. This year the illness started earlier than usual, and is probably due to the climate changes in Israel and the world, when the humid weather in the center of the country may lead to the reproduction and development of mosquitoes in this area. The risk of significant morbidity is among adults and people with immunosuppression.

In cases of West Nile fever, the Ministry of Health conducts an epidemiological investigation and the information is forwarded to the Ministry of Environmental Protection for prevention and local extermination activities by the authorities. In addition, the Ministries of Health and Environmental Protection inform the public about areas where mosquitoes infected with the virus are caught.