Mosquitoes infected with West Nile fever found near Ben Gurion Airport

As part of a monitoring operation in the center of the country, the Ministry of Environment discovered mosquitoes infected with the West Nile fever virus in the area of ​​Ben Gurion International Airport. The Ministry of Environment has instructed the Airports Authority to expand the system for monitoring and destroying mosquito breeding grounds in the vicinity of the airport.

Dedicated pest control teams are dedicated to identifying mosquito breeding sites and capturing mosquitoes for analysis. If a virological test indicates the presence of West Nile fever, local authorities are notified to immediately destroy the mosquito source. Previously, thanks to the work of these specialists, infected mosquitoes were discovered in the Ramat Gan area.

The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health have also published a number of instructions for the public that can reduce the risk of contracting West Nile fever. It is necessary to clean public sewers, as well as drain sources of standing water that become habitats for mosquitoes.

Remove, cover or turn over any containers that can collect water, such as old tires, buckets or barrels. Avoid allowing water to stagnate in flowerpots and planters, and drain or change the water in flower vases and pet waterers daily. Cover indoor swimming pools, and clean and drain rain gutters. Remove rags and old unused items that can collect water.

It is important to take measures against mosquito bites: apply insect repellent to your body, install accessories to repel mosquitoes in your rooms. You should reduce the area of ​​skin exposed to bites by wearing long, light-colored clothing. Fans should be turned on in rooms and when you are outside. Insect screens should be installed on windows and doorways.

The Ministry of Ecology also calls on people to contact local authorities where mosquito breeding hazards have been detected and inform them about sewer breaks, standing water and other hazards.