Mosquitoes infected with the West Nile virus were discovered in Nahal Sorek near Palmahim, in the youth village of Ben Shemen and near the Sharaga camp in the north; The Ministry of Environmental Protection demanded from the regional councils Gan Reva, Hebal Modi’in and Meta that they carry out monitoring, and if necessary carry out immediate pest control
According to the Ministry of Health, since the beginning of the year one person has died from the disease and two more people have been infected and are hospitalized in serious condition
Dr. Gal Zagron, Director of the Pest and Control Division at the Ministry of Environmental Protection: “We all face the high temperatures of late summer, which are ideal for mosquitoes. As the climate warms, we will also have to deal with more pests. Mosquitoes need high temperatures and stagnant water to develop. With the help of a few simple actions, such as reducing watering, drying standing water, nets, fans and using insect repellents – the public will be able to prevent mosquito bites and hazards in yards and homes. We continue to act for immediate treatment in places where mosquito hazards are detected, together with the local authorities”
Dr. Oren Katabi, Epidemiology Division at the Ministry of Health: “Since the beginning of the year, one person has died and two more are in serious condition and hospitalized. It is important to emphasize that if you live in areas declared by the Ministry of Environmental Protection as infected and if between 5 and 21 days after the bite you develop a flu-like febrile illness that includes fever, headache, weakness, joint and muscle pain, conjunctivitis, rash and sometimes nausea and diarrhea, there is Go to the attending physician for diagnosis and consultation”
The Ministry of Environmental Protection announces that once again this year mosquitoes infected with West Nile fever were monitored: in Nahal Sorek near Palmahim, in the youth village of Ben Shemen and in a drainage ditch near the Sharga camp. This is the first time this year that infected mosquitoes have been observed in the center of the country, and the second time in the area of the Meta Asher Regional Council.
In the captures carried out in the second half of August, the mosquitoes infected with the virus were found. The Ministry of Environmental Protection alerted the regional councils of Gan Reva, Hebal Modi’in and Meta Asher, where the infected mosquitoes were found, and ordered the increased monitoring of the infected area and, if necessary, the immediate implementation of prevention and control measures.
Relatively simple means can be used to reduce the amount of mosquitoes, such as by drying water sources in yards, roofs and shelters. It is also recommended to protect yourself from mosquito bites by installing nets on the windows of the house and applying mosquito repellents if necessary.
As every season, the Ministry of Environmental Protection monitors and traps mosquitoes. The adult mosquitoes are identified and tested in the laboratories of the Ministry of Health.
West Nile fever is a disease that originates from animals and is also transmitted to humans. It is caused by a virus found mainly in poultry, and is transmitted to humans and various animals through the bite of mosquitoes that feed on infected birds. The incubation period of the disease from the moment of the bite to the development of the signs of the disease lasts about 5 to 21 days, and the disease usually lasts 3-6 days.
In most cases it is a mild flu-like illness that goes away on its own. The disease is usually characterized by fever, headaches, weakness, joint and muscle pain, conjunctivitis, rash and sometimes nausea and diarrhea. Possible rare complications are acute inflammation of the brain or meningitis, and rarely the disease ends in death.
In order to avoid mosquito bites and hazards, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection recommend to the public to reduce standing water sources that may constitute habitats for mosquitoes, including:
- Locate, remove, puncture or turn over any container that may collect water such as old tires, buckets, and barrels.
- Prevent water from accumulating in the bottoms of pots and planters.
- Empty or change water at least once a week in containers such as flower vases, and drinking vessels for pets.
- Cover swimming pools.
- Take care of the presence of fish in ornamental ponds.
- Clean and empty gutters.
- Invest effort in searching for sources of stagnant water hidden in the thickets of vegetation, in basements and roofs and remove from the environment old objects that are no longer in use and can accumulate water in them.
Take protective measures against mosquito bites:
- Use insect repellents on the body as well as in the living rooms.
- Reduce the areas of skin exposed to bites by wearing long, light-colored clothing.
- turn on fans inside the house and when sitting outside the house.
- Install nets on windows and openings.
It is important to inform the local authority about the existence of sewage breaches, stagnant water and mosquito hazards in public areas, so that they can act to eliminate them.