Besides West Nile Fever, Malaria Also Emerges in North Macedonia

Exotic vacation spots like the Maldives and Zanzibar have become a source of imported tropical diseases for citizens of North Macedonia. Currently, eight cases of West Nile fever, four of malaria, three of dengue virus, and one of Zika virus have been recorded in the country.

Health Minister Sasho Klekovski highlighted the risks these infections carry. “Zika poses a serious threat to pregnant women, while dengue is a hemorrhagic fever. Increased caution must be exercised because there is evidence that severe forms of malaria can be fatal. I urge citizens traveling to Africa and the Indian Ocean, especially Zanzibar and the Maldives, to adhere to WHO vaccination guidelines. Although the incidence is very low, it is essential to take preventive measures and to inform family doctors and infectious disease specialists, who must definitely take into account travel history to these areas,” the minister stated.

According to Ministry of Health records, malaria has resurfaced with four cases after a two-year period of complete silence. The data show that after a long time without any reports, the disease has struck again.

Regarding West Nile fever, two of the infections date back to June, while the other six are currently active. One of the cases, according to reports, is linked to travel to Greece, while for the rest, transmission is suspected to have occurred within the country’s borders. The person thought to have introduced the virus is in their 40s, while the remaining patients are aged 60 to 70. These cases are concentrated in the regions of Skopje and Veles.

Minister Klekovski confirmed that in seven of the cases, epidemiological protocols have been implemented, meaning disinfection was carried out within a 200-meter radius of the patients’ residences, as part of standard procedure. However, one person did not accept this intervention.