Emerging Infectious Diseases (Aug 2001)

West Nile Fever Outbreak, Israel, 2000: Epidemiologic Aspects

  • Miriam Weinberger,
  • Silvio D. Pitlik,
  • Dan Gandacu,
  • Ruth Lang,
  • Faris Nassar,
  • Debora Ben David,
  • Ethan Rubinstein,
  • Avi Izthaki,
  • Joseph Mishal,
  • Ruth Kitzes,
  • Yardena Siegman-Igra,
  • Michael Giladi,
  • Neora Pick,
  • Ella Mendelson,
  • Hanna Bin,
  • Tamar Shohat,
  • Michal Y. Chowers

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid0704.017416
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 4
pp. 686 – 691

Abstract

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From August 1 to October 31, 2000, 417 cases of West Nile (WN) fever were serologically confirmed throughout Israel; 326 (78%) were hospitalized patients. Cases were distributed throughout the country; the highest incidence was in central Israel, the most populated part. Men and women were equally affected, and their mean age was 54±23.8 years (range 6 months to 95 years). Incidence per 1,000 population increased from 0.01 in the 1st decade of life to 0.87 in the 9th decade. There were 35 deaths (case-fatality rate 8.4%), all in patients >50 years of age. Age-specific case-fatality rate increased with age. Central nervous system involvement occurred in 170 (73%) of 233 hospitalized patients. The countrywide spread, number of hospitalizations, severity of the disease, and high death rate contrast with previously reported outbreaks in Israel.

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