The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection are reporting that a Tel Aviv resident has been diagnosed with West Nile fever, the first confirmed case of the disease in Israel in the summer of 2026.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection has instructed the relevant local authority to increase prevention, monitoring, eradication and public awareness efforts.
Prof. Sigal Sadetzky, Head of the Public Health Division at the Ministry of Health: “West Nile fever is a disease transmitted to humans through the bite of mosquitoes that feed on infected birds. It is usually a mild disease without symptoms, in exceptional cases serious symptoms such as encephalitis or meningitis may also appear.”
Dr. Shai Reicher, Director of the Pest and Pest Control Division at the Ministry of Environmental Protection: “The Ministry of Environmental Protection conducts continuous and ongoing monitoring throughout the country throughout the year, with an emphasis on the mosquito activity season. Based on the findings, the ministry guides the relevant local authorities to increase prevention, monitoring, and pest control activities.” Alongside this activity, the public has an important role in reducing the risk - drying up stagnant water sources and using protection against bites are simple and effective steps that can prevent mosquito breeding and reduce the risk of exposure to the virus.”
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As every year, from the beginning of June to the end of November, there is an expectation of an increase in the prevalence of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus. Therefore, the pest and extermination team at the Ministry of Environmental Protection conducts thousands of monitoring of mosquito larvae and hundreds of captures of adult mosquitoes throughout the year. The mosquitoes are transferred for identification and testing to the Ministry of Health laboratories. So far, since the beginning of the season, no mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus have been found.
In the summer, due to stagnant water and hot and humid weather, the risk of mosquito development increases. The responsibility for removing hazards and nuisances originating from sanitary pests in public areas lies with the local authority. However, the public is asked to assist in the effort accordingly.
Instructions:
Dry and drain sources of standing water, such as buckets, planter trays, old tires, gutters, ornamental ponds, barrels and any container that may collect water.
Use mosquito repellents, install screens on windows and openings, and wear long, light-colored clothing when outside the home – during dark hours.
Operate fans in the home and in open areas, directed at the place of residence and preventing mosquitoes from easily accessing exposed skin.
Report mosquito infestations or sources of standing water in public spaces to the local authority’s hotline *106.
The ministries emphasize that residents’ updating of the local authority is critical to allowing the local authority to focus efforts and remove the hazard quickly and effectively.
The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection will continue to monitor the disease and conduct ongoing monitoring throughout the country, and will update the public as necessary.