Still without a cure: West Nile fever-carrying mosquitoes have been found in the Dead Sea

West Nile fever is a viral disease transmitted to humans through the bite of mosquitoes that have previously fed on infected poultry. Humans do not infect each other, and the disease does not pass through daily contact. The birds serve as the natural reservoir of the virus, while the mosquitoes transmit it from animal to animal and sometimes also to humans.

About 80% of those infected will not develop symptoms at all. Some patients will develop a mild fever similar to the flu, with fever, headache, weakness, muscle pain and sometimes a rash. The risk groups for complications mainly include the elderly, people with immunosuppression and people suffering from chronic diseases. In rare cases, the disease may cause significant neurological damage, requiring hospitalization and sometimes intensive care.

There is currently no specific antiviral treatment for West Nile fever, nor is there a vaccine approved for use in humans. The treatment focuses on alleviating the symptoms and medical support according to the severity of the disease.

During the summer months, the heat and the presence of standing water create ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed. For this reason, the Ministry of Health and Environmental Protection recommends drying and draining any source of standing water, including buckets, planter bases, old tires, gutters, barrels, ornamental ponds, and any vessel that may store water.

It is also recommended to use mosquito repellents, to install nets on windows and openings, to wear long, light-colored clothes when outside the house during the hours of darkness, and to turn on fans in the sitting areas, since the air flow makes it difficult for the mosquitoes to reach the exposed skin.

The offices are also urged to report to the local authority’s hotline 106 about mosquito hazards or stagnant water sources in the public space. According to them, a quick report by the residents allows the local authorities to locate breeding sites, carry out targeted pest control and reduce the risk of the spread of the mosquitoes that carry the virus.