Klekovski: Septic tanks and stagnant water pose a major risk for the spread of West Nile virus

Disinfecting septic tanks is one of the individual measures residents can take in areas where an outbreak of West Nile fever has been declared, health authorities recommended today. There are currently no tablets for this procedure in Macedonia, but Health Minister Sasho Klekovski said the institutions would work to make them available in the country as well.

Klekovski explained that these are tablets containing bacilli, which are used to disinfect septic tanks and are available in Greece. According to him, securing them for citizens would serve as an individual protective measure.

Septic tanks, stagnant water and dead sections of rivers have been identified as high-risk sources for the spread of the virus. The list of problem areas includes irrigation canals in the Skopje Valley, water-filled pits, as well as canals in Radishan, Butel, Idrizovo, Stajkovci, Singeliq, Gazi Baba, Ilinden, Drachevo, Batinci and Studenichani.

The minister also mentioned cemeteries, where water can collect in vases, and dumps of old tires, which create suitable conditions for mosquitoes to breed. Small sources of stagnant water, such as damaged hydrants, flowerpots containing water and barrels where rainwater collects, can also pose a risk.

A total of 34 high-risk areas have been identified in Skopje. Of these, 13 have been classified as high-risk areas and prioritized for mosquito spraying. Some of these areas have already been treated, while the process will continue in territories with lower levels of risk as well. Klekovski stressed that the preparations used are safe and verified, in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

So far, 43 cases of West Nile fever have been confirmed. Cases have been recorded for the first time in the municipalities of Cair and Centar, where no outbreak has been declared. To strengthen protective measures, the possibility of expanding information efforts for citizens over the age of 60 through SMS messages is being considered.