Over the summer months, 151 cases of West Nile fever including 12 deaths, have been reported in Jerusalem, Golan and Tel Aviv in Israel.

There have also been 11 cases of West Nile fever this summer in New York and surrounding states. This unpleasant virus is transmitted by night-biting mosquitoes and usually causes a febrile illness lasting about a week. In severe cases, inflammation of the brain can result. The elderly seem to be at a higher risk of complications associated with infection.

As there is no vaccine, travellers are advised to take steps to avoid bites by covering up and applying insect repellent to exposed areas of skin when outdoors.

To obtain a health brief tailored to your journey call the MASTA Travellers Health Line on 0906 8 224 100 (calls charged at 60p/min). For general travel health advice visit the website at www.masta.org