[West Nile fever: the virus, the mosquito, the disease and our coping]

Abstract

West Nile fever is a viral disease, transmitted to humans by a mosquito bite. An outbreak of West Nile fever occurred last year in Israel, causing substantial morbidity and mortality. This article reviews the literature regarding this disease, focusing on several recent outbreaks around the world, and with special emphasis on the situation here, in Israel. Recommendations for better coping with future outbreaks to the general public, health authorities and state leaders, are presented at the end of the article.