Dr Fadil Cana: Fifth fatality from West Nile fever as 73-year-old dies in Novo Lisiche
Another death raises the confirmed toll to five; 21 patients hospitalised, 18 with confirmed neuroinvasive infection.
Dr Fadil Cana, director of the Infectious Diseases Clinic in Skopje, announced that another patient has died from West Nile fever, bringing the total number of fatalities to five.
The deceased was a 73-year-old man from the Skopje neighbourhood of Novo Lisiche who presented with a severe clinical picture and multiple serious comorbidities that contributed to the fatal outcome.
Situation and figures
According to Cana, as of today 21 patients have been hospitalised at the clinic: 18 of them have confirmed infection with the virus and a neuroinvasive form, while three patients are considered suspected cases.
Cases have been recorded in several Skopje neighbourhoods, including Centar and Čair, and local residents we spoke with said responses vary — many downplay the mosquito problem despite the cluster of infections.
The youngest patient currently under observation is a 25-year-old woman.
Health Minister Sasho Klekovski also reported that the Food and Veterinary Agency confirmed the first dead bird infected with West Nile virus in Skopje, a finding authorities are using to guide surveillance and vector control measures.
Photo: press material from the event
