A 76-year-old man who was admitted to the Infectious Diseases Clinic and treated in the intensive care unit has died from West Nile fever. This is the fourth fatal case recorded from the infection. Five patients in serious condition are currently being treated in intensive care, some of whom are on mechanical ventilation.
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Fadil Cana, director of the University Clinic for Infectious Diseases, said the patient had been hospitalized for 27 days. His condition had been aggravated by serious underlying illnesses, as well as by the severe neuroinvasive form of encephalitis and meningitis, which led to his death late in the afternoon.
There are 20 patients hospitalized at the Infectious Diseases Clinic. Of these, 18 cases have been confirmed through laboratory tests, while the other two continue to be considered clinically suspected cases.
The patients also include a 24-year-old from Centar Municipality. The decreasing age of people diagnosed with West Nile fever remains a worrying development.
Dr. Cana also announced that the 25-year-old female patient, who had until now been treated as a clinically suspected case, has been confirmed as having the neuroinvasive form of West Nile virus infection. Meanwhile, another 24-year-old patient was admitted last night and is currently classified as a suspected case. According to Cana, it is expected to be determined today or tomorrow whether this patient will also receive clinical confirmation of the diagnosis.
All patients hospitalized at the Infectious Diseases Clinic have the neuroinvasive form of the disease. According to statistics provided by Cana, this more severe form develops in only 1% of infected people.
The patients in critical condition are mainly over the age of 60 and suffer from multiple comorbidities. The authorities are urging citizens to follow the recommended personal protection measures, as outbreaks of this kind are expected to peak by the end of this month and during September./INA/
