JERUSALEM, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Two Israelis have been diagnosed with the Zika virus, the state's Health Ministry and Environmental Protection Ministry reported Sunday.
The ministries said that the two residents of central Israel were infected with the virus during their stay in Thailand, and immediately upon diagnosis in Israel, they were given specific instructions for conduct.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection also instructed Tel Aviv's municipality and a local council in the Sharon region where the two patients lived to carry out pest control and monitor any potential infection.
According to Israel's Ministry of Health's data, since the beginning of 2019, a total of eight Zika patients have been detected in Israel, all of whom have been infected abroad. So far, no local transmission of the virus has been detected in Israel.
In Israel, the Asian tiger mosquito (aedes albopictus) is widespread causing severe bites and can also transmit diseases, including the Zika virus.
Both ministries have issued guidelines to residents to prevent the development of these mosquitoes and transmit the Zika virus by them, such as drying small water accumulations and preventing bites.
The ministries have also warned pregnant women and those planning to become pregnant that despite the decline in the world's Zika virus, there is still active transmission of the virus in many countries.
The main danger of Zika virus is for fetuses, with a chance of fetal miscarriage or developmental problems.
