The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection announced that mosquitoes carrying the West Nile fever virus were detected in the Jezreel Valley, Hefer Valley, and Shaar Negev regional councils.
Since the start of the active season, 17 patients have been diagnosed with the virus, one of whom has died and another person is still hospitalized. Authorities have been instructed to expand prevention, monitoring, and disinfection activities, and the public has been asked to dry up stagnant water sources and protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Earlier this month, a man in his 70s died after contracting the West Nile virus.
The Health and Environmental Protection ministries have urged the public to help reduce mosquito breeding by draining standing water, using mosquito repellents, installing window screens, wearing light-colored long-sleeved clothing, and using fans when spending time outdoors. The public was also asked to report mosquito infestations or standing water in public areas to their local authority's 106 municipal hotline.