Health Ministry says 10 diagnosed with West Nile fever, one has died

The Health Ministry announces that a 70-year-old man who developed West Nile fever symptoms in mid-July has died after being hospitalized due to complications of the illness.

Ten people have been diagnosed with the disease in an ongoing outbreak this summer, and three of the patients are still hospitalized in good condition.

The Environmental Protection Ministry says that infected mosquitoes have been captured in central Israel, including Tel Aviv-Yafo, Tayibe, Tira, Qalansawe and the Lev HaSharon Regional Council. Since the beginning of the year, infected mosquitoes have also been captured in southern Israel.

The ministry has instructed local authorities to expand the prevention, monitoring, information and pest control systems.

The disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of mosquitoes that feed on infected birds, said Prof. Sigal Sadetzki, head of the Public Health Division at the Health Ministry.

It is usually a mild illness with no symptoms, but in exceptional cases, serious symptoms such as encephalitis or meningitis may also occur. The risk of severe illness is higher in people aged 60 and over and people with underlying diseases.