North Macedonia confirms 13 new West Nile virus infections

The World Health Organization has called on health authorities in the south of the continent to increase vigilance after several new cases of West Nile fever have emerged.

Updated data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) show that since the start of the mosquito season, over 240 people have tested positive for this virus in seven European countries. All infections occurred within the territory of these countries, meaning patients did not contract the disease while traveling abroad.

Italy tops the list with 139 confirmed cases, and out of 59 affected areas across Europe, 36 are located there, mainly in the northern regions. Meanwhile, Greece has registered 61 infected, Spain 17, and North Macedonia 13 cases.

Romania has reported six patients, France four, and Germany one local case in the Rhine-Pfalz district of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. However, including imported infections, the total number in Germany for this year reaches five.