58 cases of West Nile virus in North Macedonia, eight dead

As of August 8, 2026, North Macedonia has recorded 58 cases of West Nile virus disease, 54 of them laboratory-confirmed and four classified as probable, and eight people have died, according to the latest report issued by the Institute of Public Health.

During the past week (2-8.9.2026) two new cases were reported, from Skopje and Sveti Nikole, and two additional deaths were registered in Skopje. All of the deceased were men; their average age is 71.9 years. All were hospitalized and seven had comorbidities.

Men account for the majority of infections: 46 of the 58 patients are male and 12 are female. By place of residence, 55 cases are from Skopje, and one case each has been recorded in Veles, Kumanovo and Sveti Nikole.

Clinical and age profile

Fifty-seven cases have been classified as autochthonous; one patient has a travel history to Greece, although the incubation period also covers time spent in North Macedonia. Most patients are older: 47 (81.0%) are aged over 60, seven are 50–59, one is 30–39 and three are 20–29. The mean age of all patients is 66.1 years.

Of the 58 patients, 56 had neuroinvasive disease and were hospitalized: 55 were treated at the University Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Conditions and one at Adibadem Sistina. Forty-three patients — or 76.8% of hospitalized confirmed cases — have been discharged, while five remain in hospital.

West Nile virus was first recorded in North Macedonia in 2011. Between 2011 and the end of 2025 there were 54 laboratory-confirmed cases and five deaths associated with the disease. The report notes that 2026 shows a marked increase in both cases and fatalities compared with previous years.

Photo: press material from the event