Fifteen confirmed, sixteenth patient under investigation – West Nile fever is spreading
Fifteen patients are hospitalized at the University Clinic for Infectious Diseases; five have laboratory-confirmed neuroinvasive disease and one more case is being processed.
The number of confirmed West Nile fever cases is increasing: currently 15 patients with laboratory-confirmed presence of the West Nile virus are hospitalized at the University Clinic for Infectious Diseases in Skopje, and one more suspected case is being processed and will most likely be positive.
These are not newly reported patients, but among five people from previously suspected clinical cases the neuroinvasive form of the infection has been confirmed after additional tests. Laboratory processing is ongoing for one more patient.
"That means that with him there will be 16, because he will most likely also be positive, so there will be 16 patients with laboratory-confirmed infection with the West Nile virus" – said Dr. Fadil Cana, director of the University Clinic for Infectious Diseases.
Clinical picture
Three patients remain in serious clinical condition with developed neuroinvasive disease and are being treated in the Intensive Care Unit. The other patients are described as being in stable condition and continue their treatment.
All the patients are over 60 years old, have comorbidities and are from Skopje. Doctors emphasize that citizens should be careful and informed, but that panic should not be caused. It is important to know the symptoms: headache, fever, fatigue and general weakness, and to consult a doctor if they appear.
In neighboring Serbia the first two cases of West Nile fever this year have been reported: two Belgrade residents, aged 75 and 82, were hospitalized at the Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Belgrade due to development of the neuroinvasive form.
Photo: press material from the event
