Ministries, local authorities trade blame over recent outbreaks

Israeli ministries and local authorities are trading accusations of blame over the recent outbreaks of the leptospirosis bacteria and the West Nile fever, Hadashot television news reports.

Dozens of Israelis have been hospitalized in recent weeks on account of both diseases, which have stoked public health fears.

The Health Ministry claims the West Nile fever, which has resulted in two fatalities, spread because local authorities are “dealing with municipal elections and don’t have time to fumigate” and contain the mosquito-transmitted disease. It is referring to the upcoming elections in late October.

It also attacks the Agriculture Ministry for failing to fence off northern Israel waterways to prevent wild boar from approaching the pools and thus curb leptospirosis, which is transmitted through animal urine. Half a dozen waterways in northern Israel have been closed to the public due to the presence of the bacteria, which can be fatal, in its waters.

In response, the Agriculture Ministry says oversight of the wild boar population falls under the purview of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

Local authorities say, in a statement, that they are operating in accordance with government ministry guidelines.