“In case someone recognizes a bird in the neighborhood with strange behavior – it is important to report it”

In recent days, the residents of Tzahala have received a message from a resident of the neighborhood – Dr. Yevgeni Katzman, an infectious disease specialist in Ichilov, who recently treated several West Nile fever patients who were admitted to the hospital. The goal: to try to mobilize the residents to fight the virus transmitted by mosquitoes , through the detection of birds infected with it.”Good evening to all the residents of the northeastern neighborhoods, as you have probably already heard, in recent weeks there has been a very significant outbreak of West Nile fever in the center of the country. The first cases were diagnosed among the residents of the northeastern neighborhoods of Tel Aviv (our area).” This is how he opened his words.

“Today, unfortunately, due to the geographically wide outbreak, there are dozens of patients (if not more), including seriously ill patients with neurological damage and beyond. Still, the majority of morbidity is in Gush Dan and the Sharon region. Good afternoon, the Ministries of Health and Environmental Protection and other The authorities have woken up (better late than never) and are carrying out preventive measures to treat the mosquito plague in the area.”

At this point, Dr. Katzman comes to the interesting and surprising part, when he points out a fact that not many people know: “Another important thing: the main reservoir of the virus is the winged ones – wild birds. The virus affects crows, waterfowl and other wild birds, causing them to become paralyzed and die. Infected birds (crows) have already been found in Israel this week and died from the virus (this was proven in the central laboratory at the Beit Dagan Veterinary Institute). There is a supreme importance in the diagnosis of cases of bird disease – it may contribute a lot to understanding the direction of the current outbreak and the exact characterization of the current strain of the virus. Therefore, in any case that someone recognizes a bird in the neighborhood with strange behavior (fails to fly or flies and falls, flies or walks strangely) or a bird carcass, it is very important to report it to the authorities. This is especially important in our neighborhood, where the first reported cases were this year!”

In a conversation with Mako Health, Dr. Katzman wishes to emphasize that “you cannot get infected directly from the birds, nor from those that have died. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes, so a mosquito has to bite an infected bird in order for it to infect humans.”

Dr. Katzman continues his appeal to the residents of the area, imploring them to report to the local veterinarian when identifying a sick or dead bird. With great respect and many thanks to all the dear neighbors,” the doctor signs off the message. Dr. Katzman also emphasizes the importance of protecting the body from mosquitoes during this period: “In terms of personal protection methods – he emphasizes once again the need for constant use at all hours of the day that mosquito repellents – especially among people at risk – adults (over the age of 65-70 ) and immunosuppressed”.