A 72-year-old patient has died at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of West Nile virus.

The clinic’s director, Fadil Cana, said that the patient had shown severe symptoms and a pronounced neurological condition from the outset.

Although all measures were taken and his condition was continuously monitored, the patient’s health deteriorated.

At present, 24 patients are being treated at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases.

Infection with West Nile virus has been confirmed through testing in 19 of them, while five other cases are suspected and are still undergoing diagnosis.

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The epidemiological situation in the country regarding West Nile fever was presented at today’s press conference by Deputy Health Minister Jovica Andovski, together with representatives of the Institute of Public Health, the Skopje Public Health Center and the Clinic for Infectious Diseases.

Andovski said the public is being informed about developments promptly and transparently. He explained that this is not a new disease, as it has also been present in previous years, but the current epidemiological situation, the number of confirmed cases and the activity of the virus have created the need for a stronger institutional response.

According to him, the situation is being monitored in coordination with the Institute of Public Health, the Public Health Centers, the Commission for Infectious Diseases and the Clinic for Infectious Diseases. The aim is to detect and treat cases promptly, as well as to prevent additional cases from emerging.

The deputy minister stressed that citizens should not panic, but should act cautiously and responsibly. He urged citizens to follow personal protection measures, wear appropriate clothing and avoid areas where the risk of exposure to mosquitoes is higher.

Marija Gocevska from the Institute of Public Health said that, as of August 11, a total of 26 cases had been recorded, two of which were classified as probable. Of the total, 25 people are from Skopje, while one is from Veles. Dr. Gocevska also said that 22 of those recorded are over the age of 60.

She explained that the cases are autochthonous and originated in the country, while one of the individuals had traveled to Greece. All cases presented in neuroinvasive form.

The director of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Conditions, Dr. Fadil Cana, said that patients are receiving treatment at the clinic, which has the necessary capacity and diagnostic capabilities.

Dr. Cana reported that four patients are being treated as suspected cases and are still undergoing diagnostic procedures. Eight patients have been discharged to continue treatment at home, while an 83-year-old patient who also suffered from other illnesses has died.

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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.

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More than 240 people in Europe have been confirmed as infected with West Nile virus this year, with Macedonia ranking among the countries with the highest number of cases. The infection is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes and, in certain forms, can cause serious health complications.

The figures were released in the weekly report published on Friday by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), which confirmed that the number of infections across the continent has exceeded 240.

Italy tops the list with 139 cases, followed by Greece with 61. Spain has recorded 17 cases, while 13 infections have been reported in Macedonia. However, according to the latest data from domestic institutions, the total number of cases in the country had reached 20 as of yesterday. Romania has recorded six cases, France four and Germany one.

At the end of last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for increased vigilance following reports of several cases of West Nile fever in Southern Europe.

The WHO explains that the virus usually circulates between mosquitoes and birds. When mosquitoes become infected, they can transmit the virus to humans through their bites, particularly between July and September.

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the German agency responsible for disease control and prevention, most infected people are unaware that they are carrying the virus. For this reason, researchers believe the actual number of cases may be significantly higher than the reported figure.

When the infection develops into a severe form, it can affect the nervous system and cause encephalitis or meningitis. There is currently neither a vaccine nor a cure for the virus, so doctors focus solely on relieving symptoms.

The WHO recommends that travelers take precautions against mosquito bites by using mosquito repellents and wearing appropriate clothing.

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Seven new cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection were recorded in North Macedonia this week, the Ministry of Health announced.

All seven people are from Skopje. Kisela Voda and Gazi Baba each recorded two cases, while one infection was confirmed in each of Ilinden, Butel and Aerodrom. The new patients are between 60 and 84 years old, and all are hospitalized.

Sixteen patients are currently being treated at the University Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Conditions. Laboratory tests have confirmed the infection in 15 of them, while results for one suspected case have not yet arrived. Three people, all elderly and with underlying health conditions, are in critical condition and have been intubated. The other patients are in stable condition and are receiving the appropriate treatment.

The total number of West Nile virus cases in the country has reached 20. The first infection was reported in Veles on May 15, 2026.

According to the Ministry of Health, protection against mosquito bites remains the most effective preventive measure. Citizens are advised to avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active, and to use repellents and protective screens on doors and windows.

The ministry also recommends regularly removing standing water from yards and terraces, as these areas create favorable conditions for mosquitoes to breed.

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There are still 13 confirmed cases of West Nile fever in the country. Meanwhile, three other patients have been admitted to the Infectious Diseases Clinic and are undergoing laboratory tests, the final results of which will confirm or rule out the presence of the virus.

The Ministry of Health said in a written statement that no new cases have been confirmed so far and that the epidemiological situation is being monitored continuously. Once the tests are completed, it will be determined whether the three suspected cases will be included in the total number of infections.

Since the virus is spread through mosquito bites, health authorities are urging citizens to continue following protective measures. Recommendations include using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothing in the evening and removing standing water near homes.

The ministry stressed that it is coordinating its actions with all relevant institutions, while the public will be informed without delay of any new developments.

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The Ministry of Health announced that the epidemiological situation in Gostivar has improved significantly, while the number of people seeking medical care has continued to decline.

Yesterday, 36 medical checkups were carried out at the General Hospital and the Health Center in Gostivar. This number is 37 lower than the previous day, when 73 checkups were recorded. Four patients are currently being treated at the hospital.

Since monitoring began, a total of 4,483 initial checkups have been conducted at the two healthcare institutions. Meanwhile, 1,014 official reports of infectious diseases have been forwarded to the relevant authorities, and 706 new epidemiological surveys have been completed, covering 70 percent.

Health authorities continue enhanced epidemiological surveillance, the collection and analysis of data, patient interviews, as well as the coordinated implementation of the necessary measures to protect citizens. According to the Ministry of Health, the decline in checkups is a positive sign, but the situation remains under careful observation./Telegrafi/

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During today’s press conference, Health Minister Sasho Klekovski announced the detection of three new patients affected by vector-borne diseases. Two of them have been admitted to the Infectious Diseases Clinic, while one is in the Neurology ward, a case that has already received laboratory confirmation.

Klekovski specified that the necessary analyses are underway and that on-site epidemiological investigations have begun without delay for each of the reported cases.

Based on discussions with the Commission for Infectious Diseases, which is convening on this matter, the minister emphasized that some of the cases are not linked to travel to Greece. “In addition to those connected to the Greek state, we also have patients who have not left the country at all, and their location is in the Skopje Valley region,” he stated.

The minister noted that standard protocols have been implemented, including disinfection of a 200-meter perimeter around the affected individuals’ residences. This intervention was carried out by the Center for Public Health in Skopje, underscoring that this operation is their responsibility and not that of local authorities.

He further added that, based on recommendations and the geographic distribution of cases, the possibility of additional ground spraying will be considered. The Institute of Public Health and the Commission for Infectious Diseases are mapping the distribution of cases in order to take further preventive measures. According to him, the only patient still awaiting an epidemiological survey is the one from Veles, to clarify the origin of his infection.

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Epidemiologist Dragan Danilovski has explained in a social media post that the eight confirmed cases of West Nile fever in North Macedonia so far do not reflect the real picture of the virus’s spread. According to him, these data should not be interpreted as if all those affected develop severe forms of the disease.

All identified patients to date have manifested the neuroinvasive variant of the infection. Danilovski explains that these episodes are the most visible and easily enter official reports, while a much larger number of cases remains outside statistics because they are not diagnosed. The nature of the virus is such that approximately 80 percent of infected persons show no clinical signs. About 20 percent experience a mild flu-like condition with fever, while the severe neuroinvasive form affects less than one percent of those infected, mainly the elderly and individuals with chronic pathologies or compromised immunity.

“The eight severe cases recorded are just the visible tip of the epidemiological ‘iceberg’. Beneath this surface lies a large number of infections that cause no symptoms or pass in mild and non-specific forms, which cannot be recognized as West Nile fever,” emphasizes the epidemiologist.

He warns that in the absence of detailed information, public opinion may mistakenly believe that the virus causes severe disease in all those it infects, or even that it has become more aggressive. Such a conclusion, Danilovski adds, is not supported by current scientific knowledge.

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