Authorities carrying out extermination efforts against mosquitos within 100-meter radius of patient’s home, breeding spots within 300-meter radius
An Israeli man living in the northern town of Kochav Yair was diagnosed with dengue fever after returning home from a trip to Mexico earlier this month, the Health Ministry said Friday.
The ministry did not elaborate on the man’s condition.
According to the statement, authorities were taking immediate measures to ensure the disease did not spread, including exterminating adult female mosquitos within a 100-meter radius of the infected person’s home, as well as breeding spots within a 300-meter radius.
While the Asian Tiger Mosquito that can spread the disease is common in Israel, it usually does not carry it. However, if a female bites an infected person, it can then infect others.
The disease is not passed on by human-to-human contact.
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The ministry advised those living close to the patient to take precautionary measures, including using mosquito repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothing, turning on fans and closing window screens.
Dengue is a disease endemic to tropical areas that causes high fevers, headaches, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain and, in the most serious cases, bleeding that can lead to death.
It is usually asymptomatic, especially for first-time infections.
The World Health Organization has warned that dengue — and other diseases caused by mosquito-borne viruses such as chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika — are spreading faster and further due to climate change.
