Ten Israelis have already been diagnosed with West Nile fever, some of whom have been hospitalized in serious condition. The health and environmental protection ministries note the cases don’t amount to an outbreak and that the situation is under control.
"West Nile fever wasn’t a surprise to anyone. It’s a disease we’ve known since the 1950s. It’s a very well-known disease," Dr. Shai Reicher, director of the Environmental Protection Ministry’s Pests and Pest Control Department, told Ynet. "There are dozens of patients sick with West Nile fever annually. It’s usually a disease you might not even know you have, it passes by."
Why do mosquitoes prefer to bite certain people? Dr. Reicher explains: "There are many theories. Mosquitoes are attracted to animals that emit CO2 as part of the breathing process. The more CO2 you emit and the warmer and more pleasant your body is, the closer mosquitoes get to you. What they want is to suck blood to obtain proteins. They actually extract and concentrate the proteins from the blood so they can develop their eggs."
Dr. Reicher added, "Some say that blood type O is a little more attractive to mosquitoes. I’m also blood type O, and mosquitoes do not like me. Many parameters affect attraction. CO2 emissions and breathing, body temperature, and of course, our skin bacteria, which are themselves an attractive factor for mosquitoes.
“This is influenced by genetics, age, physiology, many parameters. What’s important is you can protect yourself and keep water sources away from you. Ultimately, most people won’t be bitten. Even those won’t necessarily get sick. The common house mosquito likely doesn’t carry the disease unless it first managed to bite a bird that carries the virus and then us."
What are the West Nile fever symptoms?
"Some develop flu-like symptoms, some fever, fatigue and muscle soreness."
Is it dangerous?
"Mostly not. Very few people develop symptoms, and a very small part of them require medical treatment or hospitalization - these are the extreme cases. It’s usually a disease that mainly affects the elderly with weakened immune systems, for example, people who have undergone organ transplants."
Which mosquitoes brought this fever here?
"We must correct an injustice done to the Asian tiger mosquito. The Asian tiger mosquito is a black mosquito with white stripes, it bites, it’s annoying, its bites usually itch more, hurt more and more people are sensitive to them. The mosquito that transmits West Nile fever is the common house mosquito (Culex pipiens)."
If I’m a person with a weak immune system, and I’m worried about this. Is there any way I can protect myself?
"Yes, certainly, there are many ways to protect yourself. First of all, the most important thing to know about mosquitoes is that it’s very difficult to use pest control against adult mosquitoes. Using chemicals against adult mosquitoes isn’t a solution. Mosquito larvae are better targets."
Are mosquito repellents effective?
"The usual solution is first and foremost to remove sources of standing water from our environment. Mosquitoes usually don't stray too far from the area where they first hatched and developed. This means that mosquitoes are near your house, take a couple of minutes to walk around the area and remove any standing water sources.
“Of course, screens should also be put on windows and doors. You can also wear long clothing. It doesn't have to be thick; it can be very thin, long fabric which is preferably light-colored. If you’re sitting at home and direct a fan or air conditioner toward your seating area, the wind will keep the mosquitoes away."
What else is being done to combat the spread of the disease?
"The Environmental Protection Ministry conducts tens of thousands of samples and surveys every year. We take 10,000 mosquito larvae samples alone every year in water reservoirs, pools, and other bodies of water. We know how to locate them. If we find infected mosquitoes, we alert the local authorities immediately."
So, we shouldn’t panic.
"Absolutely. But do pay attention and be smart around your environment. If you find any nuisance or mosquito infestation, dry it out and contact your local municipality. They work well, we’re in constant contact with them and with the Health Ministry. These things are under control, the public only needs to do their part."