WEST NILE VIRUS, MOSQUITOES - ISRAEL
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Date: Thu 16 May 2002
From: Laura D. Kramer <ldk02@HEALTH.STATE.NY.US>
Source: The Jerusalem Post, Tue 14 May 2002 [edited]
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/jpost/index.html?ts=1021580872


Early Season West Nile Virus Activity in the Negev
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The first signs this year of West Nile [virus] have been found in mosquitos 
in the Negev, the Environment Ministry said yesterday [Mon 13 May 2002]. A 
routine check by inspectors from the ministry's division for pest 
surveillance and control found infected mosquitos in the area of Wadi 
Shikma, near Kibbutz Or Haner. The ministry says local authorities have 
been told about the mosquitos and are taking action to spray where 
mosquitos breed. Uri Shalom, head of division for pest surveillance and 
control says that this is the earliest in the year that infected mosquitos 
have been found. "Over the past 2 years, we usually detected infected 
mosquitos around August. Dr. Yossi Anbar, a deputy director for 
infrastructure at the Environment Ministry, says that due to the heavy rain 
last winter and the recent late rains there is likely to be a wave of fever 
problems caused by pools of stagnant water, a favorite breeding site for 
mosquitos. "We had 600 millimeters of rain in the Negev this year, whereas 
the average is 350 mm."

The Health Ministry is not concerned about the Environment Ministry's 
discovery of West Nile virus in mosquitoes in the South, even though its 
appearance comes a bit early in the season. Dr. Emilia Anis, deputy chief 
epidemiologist at the Health Ministry, said yesterday that: "We are not 
worried. We're working to prevent an outbreak this year. The Environment 
Ministry has responsibility to ensure that the local authorities are 
spraying pesticides to kill mosquitoes. We urge everyone to report to their 
local authority or municipality if they have noticed a mosquito problem, 
and it should be taken care of." She also advised checking near your home 
for open water where larvae breed. Decorative pools should be stocked with 
Gambusia fish, which feed on mosquito larvae.

West Nile fever is spread by infected mosquitos. The fever, which is not 
contagious, can be fatal to those with a weakened immune system. Last year, 
37 people fell ill with West Nile fever; 2 died. In 2001, there were 430 
cases and 29 fatalities. People at risk for complications of West Nile 
fever (the elderly and people with chronic diseases or weak immune systems) 
should protect themselves during the mosquito season by covering themselves 
up outdoors, installing screens, and using mosquito repellent.
[Byline: Stuart Winer and Judy Siegel]
--
Laura D. Kramer
<ldk02@HEALTH.STATE.NY.US>

[see also:
West Nile virus, goose vaccine      20020206.3493
2001
----
West Nile virus, human - Israel      20010802.1510
2000
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West Nile virus, human case - Israel      20000901.1469
West Nile virus, human cases - Israel (08) 20000927.1667
1999
----
West Nile virus, geese - Israel      19991123.2076
West Nile virus, geese - Israel (02) 19991208.2132
1998
----
West Nile virus disease, storks - Israel      19981218.2406]
...................................cp/pg/mpp

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