JERUSALEM, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Health Ministry reported a spike in West Nile virus cases on Monday, confirming 35 new infections, bringing the total to 440.
This surpasses the previous annual record of 425 cases set in 2000, according to the Israeli parliament's Research and Information Center.
The death toll from the virus has also risen to 32, with one additional fatality.
The ministry attributed the outbreak to the region's warmer and wetter climate, which creates ideal conditions for mosquitoes, the primary carriers of the virus. However, the ministry also acknowledged the possibility of other unidentified environmental factors contributing to the unusual surge.
While ruling out genetic changes in the virus as a cause, the ministry expressed uncertainty about the specific factors driving the outbreak.
The virus, primarily transmitted to humans via mosquito bites, usually results in flu-like symptoms, including headaches, fever, muscle and joint aches, conjunctivitis, rashes, and occasionally nausea or diarrhea.
About one in 150 infected individuals will develop severe illnesses that impact the central nervous system, such as encephalitis or meningitis, which can result in paralysis, brain damage, and even death. ■
