Forty-two Israelis have been diagnosed with West Nile Fever since May, according to figures released by the Health Ministry on Tuesday
Of the forty-two, 36 patients have been hospitalized, including five patients placed on ventilators.
Two patients died of the virus on Monday at Petah Tikvah’s Beilinson Hospital, raising the number of fatalities to four.
West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne virus that causes West Nile fever. Most carriers of the virus never develop symptoms. About 20% of those infected have symptoms of varying severity, including fever, general malaise, headaches or generalized body aches. Neurological complications appear in less than 1% of those infected.
In Israel, cases of West Nile Virus tend to rise between June and November.
The Ministry called on the public to use mosquito repellents and fans.