Health Ministry issues latest update on West Nile Virus in Jordan

Several recommendations for Jordanian citizens were issued by the government, on how to deal with the West Nile Virus.

Adel Al-Balbisi, head of the Jordan Center for Disease Control, stated that the West Nile Virus is spreading globally, but no cases have been recorded so far in Jordan. 

In a press conference held to address the virus’s updates, he added that control measures to be undertaken by the Health Ministry involve combating mosquitoes and drying water bodies, as it is a primary breeding habitat. 

Al-Balbisi emphasized that citizens should pay attention to water tanks, particularly stagnant and shallow water. 

Yesterday, Dr. Raed Al-Shboul, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Health for Primary Health Care and Epidemics, announced that the ministry has developed a plan to address West Nile Fever. 

The plan includes information about the disease, the local epidemiological situation, the ministry's readiness to respond, and the role of national partner institutions in intensifying spraying operations and vector control (insects and mosquitoes).

In statements to Jordan News Agency (Petra), Al-Shboul said that following reports of West Nile Fever cases in neighboring countries, a meeting of the Jordan Center for Disease Control was held earlier this month to develop national recommendations for combating and preventing the spread of the disease.

The ministry has activated active surveillance in selected high-risk areas by increasing the number of samples from suspected cases and has informed all health institution staff (hospitals and health centers) on how to handle potential cases.

Al-Shboul stated that the ministry has a map of household mosquito distribution based on studies, detailing all types of vectors for various diseases. The ministry conducts necessary tests within this program for more than 15 disease-causing agents, including West Nile Fever, and offers antibody testing for West Nile Fever.

The Ministry of Health will provide all laboratory tests for infectious diseases of epidemiological concern and can address and diagnose any epidemic promptly. All these tests are free for suspected cases in the Kingdom, regardless of the patient's nationality.

The ministry has disseminated information about the disease and its vectors to all its health institutions, the Royal Medical Services, university hospitals, and private sector hospitals. Educational brochures on the disease, personal prevention methods, and vector control have been prepared.

Al-Shboul added that liaison officers have been appointed to monitor any suspected case and coordinate the transfer of laboratory tests.

Related ministries and government institutions, including the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, Local Administration, Amman Municipality, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, and Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority, have been informed about vector control and disease management, especially in the Jordan Valley, Shafa-Ghor, border areas, stagnant water bodies, and mosquito breeding sites.