Israel’s Health ministry on Friday said two people have died and 68 others have taken ill, as a result of outbreak of the West Nile virus.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, worried by outbreak of the virus

Newsmen report that West Nile virus, is a viral infection typically spread by mosquitoes. In about 75 per cent of infections people have few or no symptoms.

People develop a fever, headache, vomiting, or a rash.

The two people killed by the virus, an infection typically spread by mosquitoes, were 85 and 75 years old and had been dealing with other unidentified illnesses, the ministry said.

The ministry said 68 other people, who have been infected with the virus are mostly elderly people or those, who suffered from other ailments beforehand.

A similar outbreak in Greece has killed 11 people and affected 96 others, that country’s Centre for Disease Prevention and Control confirmed on Thursday.

The ministry added that most cases had been reported on the Peloponnese peninsula and west of Athens.

Symptoms of the West Nile virus include fever, headache, vomiting and rashes. Recovery can take months.

The risk of death among those with a prior health condition is 10 per cent.

NAN