West Nile fever outbreak, Israel, 2000: Epidemiologic aspects

From August 1 to October 31, 2000, 417 cases of West Nile (WN) fever were s erologically confirmed throughout Israel; 326 (78%) were hospitalized patie nts. Cases were distributed throughout the country; the highest incidence w as in central Israel, the most populated part. Men and women were equally a ffected, and their mean age was 54 +/- 23.8 years (range 6 months to 95 yea rs). Incidence per 1,000 population increased from 0.01 in the 1 st 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 hospitali zations, severity of the disease, and high death rate contrast with previou sly reported outbreaks in Israel.