Health Authorities Confirm Eighth West Nile Virus Death in North Macedonia
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SKOPJE — Health authorities in North Macedonia confirmed an eighth fatality linked to the West Nile virus on Sunday, as a seasonal surge in mosquito-borne infections continues to affect multiple nations across Europe.
To date, North Macedonia has registered 58 confirmed cases. All eight reported fatalities were men aged between 62 and 83, each suffering from pre-existing health conditions, according to health officials.
The local surge coincides with a broader regional trend. Earlier this month, the European Union’s public health agency reported that more than 1,000 cases of West Nile virus had been identified across 15 European countries so far this year.
Transmitted primarily through mosquito bites, the virus typically peaks in Europe between July and September, though transmission can extend from late spring into the autumn months.
While many infected individuals experience mild, flu-like symptoms, severe cases can lead to dangerous neurological complications—including meningitis and encephalitis, a potentially fatal inflammation of the brain tissue. Severe infections may also manifest as high fever, involuntary tremors, or comas.
Currently, there is no commercially available vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for West Nile virus infection, leaving preventative measures and symptomatic care as the primary tools for mitigating the disease.
© AFP
