Health Ministry Records First Case of West Nile Fever

Ramallah - MA'AN - The Ministry of Health recorded the first case of West Nile fever in Jenin Governorate Saturday morning, where doctors suspected symptoms consistent with the disease, and after necessary tests, the infection was confirmed. The ministry said in a statement today that West Nile fever is transmitted by mosquitoes, and its symptoms closely resemble those of influenza with a rise in body temperatures. Symptoms appear three days after the mosquito bite, with older age groups being more susceptible to infection. The Ministry of Health confirmed that primary healthcare and environmental health teams, in cooperation with all relevant authorities in Jenin Governorate, have been conducting a campaign since this morning to combat mosquitoes in Jenin city and its camp, and that the ministry's specialized teams will implement campaigns to combat mosquitoes in all governorates. The ministry emphasized that repeated invasions by the occupation army and its targeting of infrastructure, especially water a nd sewage networks in Jenin and other Palestinian cities and areas, have led to a significant increase in the spread of mosquitoes, especially in Jenin city and camp. The Emergency Committee in Jenin Governorate held a series of meetings yesterday targeting the development of a plan to combat the spread of mosquitoes, which began to be implemented this morning. The Ministry of Health called on citizens to take personal precautions against infection by wearing long clothes that cover arms and legs when outdoors during mosquito activity at night, using mosquito nets when sleeping, using mosquito repellent skin creams, placing mesh screens on house windows, and cooperating with ministry teams and relevant authorities in drying stagnant water and swamps in house courtyards, around trees, and flowerbeds. It is worth noting that West Nile fever is a viral disease transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, discovered in 1937 in the West Nile district of Uganda. Source: Maan News Agency