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Russian Health Watchdog Warns Travelers About West Nile Fever Outbreak in Israel

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) has warned Russian travelers about an outbreak of the West Nile fever in Israel.
Sputnik

The watchdog pointed out in a statement that as of August 23 a total of 68 cases of the West Nile fever had been registered in Israel with two people having died from the illness.

"Rospotrebnadzor draws people's attention [to this information] and asks them to take this information into account while planning trips," the statement said.

The body also noted that the disease has continued to spread in Europe, especially in Serbia, Italy, Greece, Hungary and Romania.

READ MORE: First Death From West Nile Virus in 2015 Confirmed in North Carolina

This year's outbreak of the West Nile fever has been caused by the unusually hot weather and large number of mosquitoes.

As of August 23, 68 cases of the disease of the West Nile fever were registered in Israel, including 14 cases of severe illness and complications. Two people have died, the Russian agency said, quoting data from the Israeli Ministry of Health. This number of cases is "twice the 2017 figures."

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