West Nile fever has been reported in Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan with an uptick in hospitalizations. Originating from sub-Saharan Africa, West Nile virus causes encephalitis in both humans and horses, and can also affect birds. It is typically transmitted through bites from Culex mosquitoes that are attracted to birds. Just last night, the Ministry of Environmental Protection found infected mosquitoes with the virus in Ramat Gan. With five recent hospitalizations testing positive for the West Nile fever.
While most cases of the West Nile virus are asymptomatic or cause mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, a small percentage of cases can be severe and potentially fatal. Serious symptoms may include high fever, headache, stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures, paralysis, and sometimes death.
Five patients in the Tel Aviv area received treatment at Ichilov Hospital, having likely contracted the virus in northern parts of the city. Additionally, two patients were hospitalized at Sheba Medical Centre in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv, but have since been discharged.
Dr. Yevgeni Katzman, an expert in internal medicine and infectious diseases at Ichilov, remarked on the unusual clustering of cases, describing it as an outbreak, though health authorities have not officially labelled it as such. While cases are increasing, the Ministries of Health and Environmental Protection have stated that they have not identified a confirmed outbreak.
West Nile virus poses greater risks to older individuals, with severe neurological symptoms possible. Dr. Katzman expressed frustration among medical professionals due to the absence of a vaccine or effective treatment against the disease.
Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus are also said to have reached more northern cities such as Haifa as well, further spreading threats of disease throughout the country, local news reports.