West Nile easing in North Macedonia, officials warn of measles threat

Hospital admissions for West Nile virus in North Macedonia are easing, but health officials warn of a separate, looming threat: measles. Authorities point to low MMR vaccine uptake at home and outbreaks across the border as the reasons for heightened concern.

Fadil Cana, director of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases in Skopje, said five new patients were admitted this week and that 19 people are currently hospitalized with West Nile complications. Three patients who had been critically ill were extubated and are recovering, while two older men with chronic conditions remain on mechanical ventilation under continuous medical supervision.

To date there have been 55 confirmed West Nile cases in the country; six of those infected have died. Health teams continue to monitor not only human cases but also bird populations, since the virus circulates naturally between birds and mosquitoes.

Bird surveillance and a positive raven

Authorities flagged a positive test in a dead raven found in Skopje’s Karposh municipality, near the Drama Theatre. Officials said they will expand monitoring of dead birds beyond the capital and asked citizens to report any findings of dead corvids so laboratories can track viral circulation more effectively.

West Nile virus is transmitted mainly by infected mosquito bites. While many infections are asymptomatic or mild, older adults and people with underlying illnesses are at risk of severe neurological complications.

At the same time, the Ministry of Health has turned attention to measles because regional outbreaks and low vaccination coverage could allow the disease to enter and spread locally. The Institute for Public Health presented figures showing first-dose MMR coverage in North Macedonia is only 62 percent — far below the roughly 95 percent level considered necessary for robust herd immunity. Revaccination coverage is higher, at about 85 percent, but still under the target.

“I want to appeal to all citizens of Macedonia to approach measles vaccination more responsibly. Vaccination coverage is relatively low – 62 percent,” said Sasho Klekovski. Health officials reminded parents to check whether their children have received the scheduled MMR doses (the first dose is given at 12 months) and to arrange missed vaccinations as a precaution while cases circulate in neighboring Kosovo and Bulgaria.

Photo: press material from the event