West Nile Virus Detected in Israel: Six Cases Diagnosed
Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus have been detected in Israel for the first time this year. Since the beginning of the year, six people have already been diagnosed with the disease in the country.
Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus have been detected in Israel for the first time this year, and the health system is raising its alert level. Following the capture of the mosquitoes in the Tamar Regional Council in the south of the country, the Ministry of Environmental Protection instructed local authorities to expand monitoring, extermination, and prevention activities against the backdrop of concerns over the spread of infected mosquitoes. At the same time, since the beginning of the year, six people have already been diagnosed in Israel with the disease.
For the first time this year: infected mosquitoes detected in the south
As part of the ongoing monitoring system operated by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection throughout the year, with an emphasis on the summer months, mosquitoes were detected for the first time in 2026 that were found in Ministry of Health laboratories to be carriers of the West Nile virus in the Tamar Regional Council area. Following the findings, the Ministry of Environmental Protection instructed the Tamar Regional Council, as well as all local authorities across the country, to increase prevention, monitoring, public awareness, and extermination activities in order to reduce the risk of the spread of infected mosquitoes and protect public health. The ministry notes that since the beginning of the year and until now, no other hotspots have been identified where mosquitoes carrying the virus were found.
What is West Nile fever?
Prof. Sigal Sadetzki, Head of Public Health Services at the Ministry of Health, explains that West Nile fever is a disease transmitted to humans through the bite of mosquitoes that feed on infected birds. According to her:
"In most cases, it is a mild disease and sometimes even without symptoms at all. However, in rare cases, severe complications can develop, including encephalitis or meningitis."
Authorities called to increase extermination — and the public also has a role
Dr. Shay Reichert, Director of the Pest Control and Extermination Division at the Ministry of Environmental Protection, said that the capture of the infected mosquitoes testifies to the effectiveness of the national monitoring system, which allows for the identification of risk hotspots in real-time and instructs authorities to act quickly. According to him, the public also has a significant role in reducing the spread of mosquitoes. "Drying up standing water and reporting hazards to the local authority can significantly reduce mosquito breeding and help protect public health."
How you can reduce the risk of bites
The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection recommend that the public take several simple steps that can significantly reduce the risk of mosquito bites:
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Drain and empty any source of standing water, such as flower pot saucers, buckets, old tires, gutters, barrels, and ornamental ponds.
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Use mosquito repellent products and install screens on windows and openings.
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Wear long, light-colored clothing when outside the home, especially during the evening and night hours.
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Operate fans in seating areas, as airflow makes it difficult for mosquitoes to bite.
Report to the 106 hotline of the local authority about sources of standing water or mosquito hazards in the public space. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection emphasize that rapid reporting by the public about hazards allows authorities to treat breeding grounds quickly, thereby reducing the risk of the spread of infected mosquitoes. At the same time, monitoring will continue across the country, and the public will be updated as necessary.
