(haipo) - Mosquitoes infected with Nile fever were discovered in the Zebulun Valley area. Here you will find information about the hazards that have been discovered near you, the risks of the disease and the ways to prevent it.
One person died and another person is in serious condition - since the beginning of the year
For the second time since the beginning of the year, mosquitoes infected with the West Nile virus were discovered in Israel - this time in the Zebulun Valley area;
The Ministry of Environmental Protection demanded from the regional council headquarters that it carry out monitoring, and if necessary carry out immediate pest control; According to the data of the Ministry of Health, since the beginning of the year one person has died from the disease and another person has been infected in a serious condition and is hospitalized.
Dr. Gal Zagron, Director of the Pest and Pest Control Division at the Ministry of Environmental Protection:
"This is the second time this year that we have found infected mosquitoes in Israel. This time, the mosquitoes were caught in the Emek Zebulon area, so we are calling on the public who live in the area to be vigilant and treat any stagnant water sources in their possession as soon as possible. The Ministry of Environmental Protection continues to cooperate with the Ministries of Health and Agriculture, in a joint effort to urgently treat the places where they are found mosquito hazards"
Dr. Oren Tseteh, Epidemiology Division reporters, Ministry of Health:
"Since the beginning of the year, one person has died and another person is in serious condition and hospitalized. It is important to emphasize that if you live in areas declared by the Ministry of Environmental Protection as infected and if 5 to 21 days after the bite a flu-like febrile illness develops including fever, headache, weakness, joint and muscle pain, conjunctivitis, rash and sometimes nausea and diarrhea, there is Go to the attending physician for diagnosis and consultation"
The Ministry of Environmental Protection announces that for the second time since the beginning of the year, mosquitoes infected with West Nile fever have been monitored - this time in the Zebulun Valley area, after infected mosquitoes were discovered in the Eilat and Araba area at the beginning of the month.
Mosquitoes infected with the virus were found in mosquito traps carried out at the end of July in Nahal Naaman, Naaman fields and Ein Afek. The Ministry of Environmental Protection alerted the Meta Asher Regional Council, in whose territory the infected mosquitoes were found, and ordered the increased monitoring of the infected area and, if necessary, the immediate implementation of preventive and extermination actions.
Relatively simple means can be used to reduce the amount of mosquitoes, such as by drying water sources in yards, roofs and shelters. It is also recommended to protect yourself from mosquito bites by installing nets on the windows of the house and applying mosquito repellents if necessary.
Nile fever
West Nile fever is a disease that originates from animals and is also transmitted to humans. It is caused by a virus found mainly in poultry, and is transmitted to humans and various animals through the bite of mosquitoes that feed on infected birds. The incubation period of the disease from the moment of the bite to the development of the signs of the disease lasts about 5 to 21 days, and the disease usually lasts 3-6 days.
In most cases it is a mild flu-like illness that goes away on its own. The disease is usually characterized by fever, headaches, weakness, joint and muscle pain, conjunctivitis, rash and sometimes nausea and diarrhea. Possible rare complications are acute inflammation of the brain or meningitis, and rarely the disease ends in death.
How will we defend ourselves?
In order to avoid mosquito bites and hazards, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection recommend to the public to reduce standing water sources that may constitute habitats for mosquitoes, including:
- Locate, remove, puncture or turn over any container that may accumulate water such as old tires, buckets and barrels.
- Prevent water from accumulating in the bottoms of pots and planters.
- Empty or change water at least once a week in containers such as flower pots, and drinking vessels for pets.
- Cover swimming pools.
- Clean and empty gutters.
- Invest effort in searching for sources of stagnant water hidden in the thickets of vegetation, in basements and roofs and remove from the environment old objects that are no longer in use and can accumulate water inside them.
Take protective measures against mosquito bites: - Use insect repellents on the body as well as in the living rooms
- Reduce the areas of skin exposed to bites by wearing long, light-colored clothing
- turn on lights inside the house and when sitting outside the house
- Install nets on windows and openings
It is important to inform the local authority about the existence of sewage breaches, stagnant water and mosquito hazards in public areas, so that they can act to eliminate them.