Israel Faces West Nile Fever Outbreak: 31 Deaths Reported

West Nile Fever is a mosquito-borne illness caused by the West Nile Virus. According to Israel’s health ministry, the high number of cases is due to warmer and more humid weather, which is favorable for mosquitoes. Read on to learn about the complications of West Nile Fever.

Israel Reports 31 Deaths Due To West Nile Fever

Health authorities in Israel have reported 31 deaths from West Nile fever since an outbreak began in early May. Recently, 12 new fatalities were confirmed, bringing the total number of cases to 405, close to the record high of 425 cases in the year 2000.

The Ministry of Health attributes the high number of cases to warmer and more humid weather, which promotes mosquito activity. Most of the infected individuals are elderly, aged 70 and above, although children have also been diagnosed with the virus.

While most human infections cause no or mild cold-like symptoms, some people develop severe illnesses affecting the central nervous system. Earlier this week, Israel’s chief veterinary officer, Tamir Goshen, reported that 159 birds were found infected with the virus in the last two months, compared to only three bird infections in the entire year of 2023.

What Is West Nile Fever?

West Nile Fever is spread through mosquito bites and is caused by the West Nile Virus. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the virus can infect humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses, and some other mammals.

Typically, West Nile virus does not cause any symptoms or only mild flu-like symptoms. However, in severe cases, it can lead to inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), and inflammation of the brain and its surrounding membrane (meningoencephalitis), all of which can be fatal.

Complications of West Nile Fever

Neurological Complications
West Nile fever can lead to neuroinvasive disease, affecting the central nervous system. This can cause encephalitis, meningitis, or acute flaccid paralysis. Encephalitis causes inflammation of the brain, leading to symptoms like confusion, seizures, and muscle weakness. Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, resulting in headaches, neck stiffness, and fever. Acute flaccid paralysis is similar to polio, causing sudden muscle weakness and loss of reflexes.

Chronic Fatigue and Muscle Weakness
Patients may experience prolonged fatigue and muscle weakness even after the acute phase. This syndrome can last for weeks or months, impacting one’s quality of life by reducing physical and mental stamina.

Eye Complications
West Nile virus can cause eye problems, such as chorioretinitis and optic neuritis. Chorioretinitis, inflammation of the retina and choroid, leads to blurred vision, floaters, and even vision loss. Optic neuritis, inflammation of the optic nerve, causes pain and temporary vision loss, and can potentially lead to permanent damage if untreated.

Cardiovascular Problems
The virus can also affect the heart, leading to myocarditis, which is the inflammation of the heart muscle. Myocarditis can result in chest pain, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), and even heart failure in severe cases.

Renal Complications
Although rare, West Nile virus can cause nephritis, inflammation of the kidneys, leading to impaired kidney function, blood in the urine (hematuria), and protein in the urine (proteinuria).