Serbia records first two West Nile fever cases this year
Patients are two Belgrade residents, aged 75 and 82, hospitalised with a neuroinvasive form at the Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Belgrade.
Serbia has reported the first two confirmed cases of West Nile fever this year, health authorities said.
The patients are both residents of Belgrade, aged 75 and 82. They have been admitted to the Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Belgrade after developing a neuroinvasive form of the illness.
The Institute of Public Health of Serbia issued the notice after laboratory confirmation, stressing that these are the season's initial confirmed human infections with West Nile virus in the country.
Prevention measures
The institute urged citizens to take personal protective steps to reduce mosquito bites and the risk of infection.
- Use insect repellents when outdoors.
- Wear light-coloured clothing with long sleeves and trousers.
- Avoid staying outdoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
- Regularly remove stagnant water from flower pots, buckets, barrels, cans and other containers.
- Dispose of old tyres and items that can collect water to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
The institute emphasised that eliminating standing water around homes and public spaces and following personal protection advice are key to limiting further cases during the mosquito season.
Photo: press material from the event
