Dead raven in Resen tests positive for West Nile virus, minister says

The Food and Veterinary Agency confirmed early today that a dead raven found in the park beside the municipal building in Resen tested positive for West Nile virus, Health Minister Sasho Klekovski told reporters.

What this finding means

According to the minister, detection of the virus in a raven is significant because many bird species can be affected and ravens are generally non‑migratory; a dead raven therefore can signal local virus circulation. "Why is this significant? Many bird species are affected by the virus. The raven is one of the birds that is affected and can die from the virus. And it's important because the raven is, generally, a stationary bird, meaning it is not a migratory bird, and finding a dead raven can indicate local circulation of the West Nile virus. We immediately notified the Center for Public Health — Bitola and the mayor of the Municipality of Resen to review mosquito‑spraying plans and to carry out spraying as indicated," the minister said.

Klekovski also said that two additional birds from Skopje are currently undergoing tests to determine whether they carry the virus.

He appealed to the public to avoid false reports to the Food and Veterinary Agency, stressing that laboratory and field capacities are limited and resources should be reserved for credible notifications. "I would like to appeal to citizens not to submit false reports to the Food and Veterinary Agency, capacities are limited and I would ask citizens to focus on genuine reports. The focus should be on ravens because of their stationarity and we can use them for the temporary localization of new risk areas. At the moment we will issue precautionary measures in the Municipality of Resen, and to family doctors and to the Municipality, regarding actions that need to be taken. We will follow how the situation develops and will respond accordingly," he added.

On a separate question about a case involving a woman in a wheelchair, Klekovski said the expert review has been completed and that he intends to visit the patient next week to request her permission to release parts of the professional report, because it contains personal data.

Dr. Cana, director of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, commented on the severity and expected mortality patterns. "Given that according to all global statistics and guidelines provided, mortality among these patients increases as age advances. That we have severe cases does not mean that we differ from other countries, rather we are within those percentages that are already scientifically confirmed," she said.

Photo: press material from the event