Health Ministry Warns of Dangerous Mosquitoes Detected Near Ben Gurion Airport

The Israeli Ministry of Health has issued a warning after detecting mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus in the Ben Gurion Airport area, as well as in Petah Tikva and Kafr Qasim. Since the start of the West Nile virus season, 17 cases have been diagnosed, including one fatality and one patient currently hospitalized. The Ministry of Environmental Protection has instructed local authorities, especially in affected areas, to intensify prevention, monitoring, public awareness, and mosquito control efforts to reduce the risk of virus spread.

Infected mosquitoes have been confirmed not only near Ben Gurion Airport but also in Petah Tikva, Kafr Qasim, Kafr Bara, and the Brenner and Central Arava regional councils. The Health Ministry anticipates an increase in the presence of infected mosquitoes from June through November and recommends residents take preventive measures to avoid mosquito breeding.

Officials emphasized the importance of public reporting of mosquito nuisances to local authorities to enable targeted and efficient control actions. Both ministries will continue monitoring the situation nationwide and provide updates as necessary.