Three Dead from West Nile Fever, 35 New Cases Confirmed in North Macedonia, 6 in Critical Condition

The death toll from West Nile fever in North Macedonia has risen to three.

The latest victim is a 61-year-old man, while 35 cases of infection have been confirmed in the country, six of whom are in critical condition. Macedonian Health Minister Sasho Klekovski said mosquito spraying had begun in several areas, while others would undergo the process in the coming days.

According to him, 17,000 hectares in Skopje will be sprayed from the air and 5,000 hectares from the ground. He added that interventions are also planned in areas with stagnant water, including ponds in the park and the lake in Stajkovcë.

Fadil Cana, director of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, said six patients are being treated in the Intensive Care Unit, while another 16 have been admitted to the clinic. According to him, the youngest patient is 25 years old and is in stable condition.

West Nile fever is transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The risk of severe illness is higher among the elderly, people with weakened immune systems and those suffering from chronic diseases.

Meanwhile, Athens remains one of the areas in Europe most affected by West Nile fever. So far, 81 cases of the disease and nine deaths have been recorded in Greece.