Israel is grappling with a resurgence of West Nile Fever, as eight new cases of the potentially life-threatening disease have been reported in the country.

Among the six cases at Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital, a man in his 70s was admitted on Wednesday in moderate condition. The other five patients who have contracted the disease range from moderate to serious conditions.

“This is an outbreak so it is important to alert and warn the public,” Dr. Yevgeni Katzman told Channel 12 News. “In all my years as a doctor, I have never seen so many patients arriving so close together to be hospitalized because of the disease.”

In addition to the cases at Ichilov Hospital, two patients aged 40 and 60 from Ramat Gan and Givatayim were treated for West Nile Fever at Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer last week and have since been released.

West Nile Fever is transmitted with mosquitoes acting as vectors by feeding on infected dead birds and then biting humans. While most infected individuals do not develop symptoms, around 20% will experience fever, headache, body aches, and other flu-like symptoms. In severe cases, the virus can cause life-threatening neurological illnesses such as encephalitis or meningitis.

As the number of West Nile Fever cases rises, Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection is calling on both the government and the public to prevent a full-blown epidemic. In concentrated areas like Tel Aviv, citizens are being urged to use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved clothing, and avoid standing in water where mosquitoes can breed.