Israel fighting West Nile virus, 67 hospitalized

Israelis are protecting themselves from insect bites after 67 people were hospitalized with West Nile virus.

By: JNS and World Israel News Staff

Israel’s Environmental Protection Ministry is warning Israelis to protect themselves from insect bites after reporting that 67 people have been hospitalized with West Nile virus.

An 18-year-old resident of Israel’s south is in critical condition, with another six people listed in serious condition from the mosquito-transmitted disease.

Tests this week confirmed that some mosquitoes in the coastal areas of Pardes Hannah, Binyamina, Caesarea and the Haifa area ( Menashe Regional Council and Alona Regional Council) were carriers of the virus.

Peak season for the illness in Israel is between August and October, with an incubation period in people of three to 15 days.

Symptoms include fever, rashes and headaches, but complications could also include meningitis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people infected with WNV do not have symptoms. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

West Nile virus