First victim this year: 70-year-old patient dies from West Nile fever

The Israeli Ministry of Health has reported an increase in West Nile fever cases, with the number of confirmed patients rising from six last week to ten as of Thursday, three of whom remain hospitalized. It has been confirmed that a man in his 70s passed away this week, marking the first death from the virus in Israel this year.

Last week, health and environmental authorities announced the detection of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus in the Tamar Regional Council, prompting intensified monitoring and extermination efforts.

Dr. Maayan Gilboa, an infectious disease expert at Sheba Medical Center, explains that while the fever appears in Israel every summer, it often goes undiagnosed due to the absence of symptoms or mild presentation. "The patients we see are typically elderly, aged 60-70 and older," she notes. "In severe cases, the disease can manifest as encephalitis, confusion, or seizures. During the summer months, we remain alert to this possibility and screen patients presenting with relevant symptoms."

As there is no specific cure, treatment remains supportive. Sheba Medical Center is currently exploring experimental treatments, including the use of convalescent plasma containing antibodies to the virus.

Prof. Cyril Cohen, an immunologist at Bar-Ilan University, emphasizes that official figures likely underrepresent the true scale of the outbreak. "If ten patients have been identified, it is probable that the actual number of infections is three to five times higher, as 80% of those infected remain asymptomatic," he explains. He reminds the public that the virus is transmitted only through mosquito bites, with symptoms typically appearing within two days to two weeks. Experts urge the public to eliminate standing water—such as in flower pot saucers or near air conditioning units—to curb mosquito breeding.