West Nile Virus Detected in Mosquitoes in Ramat Gan and Yeruham

Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection announced on Sunday that mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus had been detected in Ramat Gan and Yeruham. The infected female mosquitoes were captured during routine monitoring and subsequently identified in laboratories operated by the Ministry of Health.

According to the ministry, Israel’s relatively warm and humid autumn conditions continue to create favorable breeding environments for mosquitoes, which can cause a nuisance and transmit diseases to humans. Local authorities are responsible for identifying and eliminating mosquito breeding sites and other public health hazards in public areas, while residents are being urged to take preventive measures around their homes.

How to Protect Against Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus

The public is advised to drain and eliminate sources of standing water, including buckets, flowerpot saucers, old tires, gutters, ornamental ponds, barrels, and other containers that can collect water. Additional precautions include using mosquito repellents, installing screens on windows and doors, and wearing long, light-colored clothing outdoors after dark. Fans can also help reduce mosquito exposure by directing airflow toward areas where people are sitting, making it more difficult for mosquitoes to reach exposed skin.

The ministry noted that the prevalence of mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus typically increases between early June and late November. Throughout the year, its pest control teams conduct thousands of inspections for mosquito larvae and hundreds of captures of adult mosquitoes, which are then sent to Ministry of Health laboratories for identification and testing. Several mosquito samples collected since the beginning of the year have tested positive for the virus.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Health emphasized the importance of residents reporting mosquito breeding sites and infestations to their local authorities. Such reports enable municipalities to target monitoring and pest control operations more quickly and effectively. Both ministries will continue monitoring mosquito populations and tracking cases of illness nationwide, providing public updates as necessary.

Officials Urge Continued Vigilance Despite Cooler Weather

Dr. Shay Reicher, director of the Pest Control Division at the Ministry of Environmental Protection, explained that despite the wintry weather experienced over the previous weekend, this year’s autumn has been relatively warm and dry, creating suitable conditions for mosquito development.

“The ministry continues its efforts to monitor mosquito breeding sites and identify locations where mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus are present,” Reicher said.

He stressed the importance of maintaining preventive measures to reduce the risk of mosquito bites and disease transmission. “Local authorities have been instructed to continue prevention and pest control operations based on monitoring findings,” Reicher stated. “At the same time, we urge the public to remain vigilant, eliminate standing water around their homes, use mosquito repellents in affected areas, install screens on windows and doors, and report mosquito hazards to their local authorities.”

Reicher concluded that cooperation between government agencies, local authorities, and the public is essential to reducing mosquito infestations and protecting public health.