SDSM: Klekovski and Mickoski are failing to manage the West Nile fever crisis

The Social Democratic Union of Macedonia has expressed concern over the rising number of West Nile fever cases, describing the way the government and health institutions are handling the situation as inadequate.

According to data cited by SDSM, as of September 1 this year, 56 cases of the disease had been confirmed in North Macedonia, while seven people had died.

The opposition party claims that, in terms of the number of cases relative to the population, North Macedonia ranks first in Europe, ahead of countries such as Italy, Greece and Romania.

SDSM said that health institutions had responded late, just as they did during the poisoning crisis in Gostivar. According to the party, the government is unable to prevent the situation from escalating and guarantee the protection of public health, intervening only after the crisis has worsened.

Criticism was also directed at the mayor of the City of Skopje, Orce Gjorgjievski. SDSM claims that the mosquito spraying process was not carried out at the appropriate time.

The opposition believes that the mechanism for preventing, protecting against and controlling vector-borne diseases is not functioning, while the responsible institutions are dealing only with the consequences of the epidemic.

“Citizens are paying for the cost of this dysfunction with their health,” SDSM said at the conclusion of its statement.