Outbreak of West Nile Virus in central Israel

As reported by Kann News, five cases of Nile Fever have been reported over the past two weeks at Ichilov Hospital, marking a rare surge in such incidents locally. The patients are all older adults residing in northern Tel Aviv, specifically in the Mesilat and Ramat HaHayil neighborhoods.

Dr. Yevgeny Ketzman, an expert in internal medicine and infectious diseases at Ichilov, expressed astonishment at the cluster of cases, stating, "In all my years as a physician, I have never encountered such a high concentration of Nile Fever patients requiring hospitalization in such close proximity."

At Sheba Hospital, two patients aged 40 and 60 from Ramat Gan and Givatayim were treated for the virus and discharged last week.

West Nile Virus typically manifests initially with mild symptoms resembling a common viral illness, such as fever and headaches. However, in some cases, especially as the disease progresses, patients may experience more severe neurological symptoms, including confusion and cognitive impairment.

Also, Nile Fever typically affects the older population more severely, and its deterioration can lead to neurological damage.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection has responded swiftly to the outbreak, confirming the capture of mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus in the western region of the Sharon District Regional Council.

However they have not captured any mosquitoes carrying the virus in the western Nile region in Tel Aviv. The Tel Aviv municipality conducted surveys near areas where the patients reside, identifying stagnant water sources containing mosquito larvae, which have since dried up.

As the situation continues to develop, health officials remain vigilant in monitoring and responding to the outbreak, ensuring the safety and well-being of the local population.