Eight cases of West Nile fever have been registered in North Macedonia, including seven laboratory-confirmed and one probable case. According to a report from the country's Institute of Public Health, all affected individuals developed a neuroinvasive form of the infection affecting the central nervous system and were hospitalized.
Demographic data and case location
The disease primarily affects older people – six of the eight cases are in individuals over 60 years of age, and two are in the 50 to 59 age group. Six of the ill individuals were registered in the cities of Skopje and Veles, while one patient had a stay in Greece, which coincides with the incubation period of the virus.
Currently, three of the hospitalized patients have already been discharged for home treatment. Data shows that five new cases were confirmed only during July, while symptoms in two patients appeared in June, and in a third, in May.
Epidemiological context in Europe
West Nile fever is a viral disease transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus circulates between mosquitoes and wild birds and is not transmitted from person to person. The incubation period usually lasts from three to 14 days. Although about 80% of those infected do not show symptoms, less than one percent of infections progress into severe and life-threatening neuroinvasive forms.
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), as of July 22 this year, the virus has been detected in 35 regions across six European countries with a total of 81 cases. The highest prevalence is observed in Italy (46 cases) and Greece (21 cases). Other registered cases include North Macedonia (8), Romania (5), Spain (3), and France (1).
Historical data for North Macedonia
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West Nile fever was first registered in North Macedonia in 2011. Since then until the end of 2025, a total of 54 laboratory-confirmed cases have been documented, with five individuals having died as a result of the disease. The first registered case of the fever in a human in the European region during the current season was found specifically in North Macedonia.