Rising West Nile Virus Cases in Tel Aviv-Yafo

Authorities from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Ministry of Health have confirmed the presence of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus in Ramat Gan, marking an early start to this year's infections. In Tel Aviv, eight cases of West Nile fever have been reported since the beginning of the year, with three patients currently hospitalized at Ichilov Medical Center.

"The ministry will provide updates transparently, as done previously," stated the spokesperson. From June to November every year, there is an increased frequency of detecting mosquitoes carrying the virus, known for its transmission from infected birds to humans via mosquito bites. West Nile fever typically manifests as a mild, flu-like illness lasting 3 to 6 days, characterized by symptoms such as fever, headache, weakness, joint pain, and rash. Rare complications such as inflammation of the brain or meningitis can occur, with fatal outcomes reported in isolated cases.

The West Nile virus is a disease of sub-Saharan African origin that causes encephalitis in horses, humans, and birds. Infection usually occurs through the bite of ornithophilic mosquitoes of the Culex genus. Most infections do not cause any symptoms, but mild infections can lead to symptoms like fever, headache, body aches, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. In some cases, the disease can have serious and even fatal consequences, with symptoms such as headache, high fever, stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures, paralysis, and death.

In Tel Aviv, seven people have been hospitalized after contracting West Nile fever in the last period, with two of them in serious condition. Five of the patients were treated at Ichilov Hospital, while two others were hospitalized at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, but have since been discharged. Yevgeni Katzman, an expert in internal medicine and infectious diseases at Ichilov, mentioned that he has never seen so many patients arrive so close together to be hospitalized for this disease. Although cases are increasing, the Ministries of Health and Environmental Protection have not identified an outbreak.

Health Ministry statistics show that six cases of West Nile fever were detected in Israel from January to June last year, with only two cases reported during the same period in 2022. The year 2018 witnessed an outbreak with dozens of cases, highlighting the importance of continued monitoring and preventive measures to combat the spread of the West Nile virus.