Ministry says mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus found in Emek Hefer area, Ramat Hasharon

The Environmental Protection Ministry reports mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus were found in the Emek Hefer Regional Council and Ramat Hasharon.

The ministry instructs all authorities to expand their monitoring and pest control efforts.

It notes that the placement of traps across the country is random; even if infected mosquitoes are not captured in a certain area, this does not guarantee that the area is free of mosquitoes.

Infected mosquitoes transmit the West Nile virus to humans. The virus does not spread from person to person.

The number of patients diagnosed with the virus rose to 814 as of today, according to the Health Ministry.

A total of 57 people who were diagnosed with the virus have died since the outbreak began in June.

The ministry says that about 80% of people infected with West Nile virus show no symptoms at all. About 20% may experience varying degrees of symptoms, including fever, headaches, and body aches.

Less than 1% of those infected will have possible rare complications such as acute inflammation of the brain or meningitis.

The risk of significant illness is higher among the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.