Thirteen West Nile infections reported in North Macedonia
ECDC reports 13 infections in North Macedonia among more than 240 cases across seven European countries; most affected areas are in northern Italy.
More than 240 West Nile virus infections have been reported across seven European countries since the start of the mosquito season, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) says, with all recorded cases classified as locally acquired rather than travel-related.
National totals reported to the ECDC include 139 cases in Italy, 61 in Greece, 17 in Spain and 13 in North Macedonia. Romania has reported six cases, France four, and Germany one — the German case was recorded in the Rhein-Pfalz area of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, although Germany’s total for the year rises to five when imported infections are included.
Geographic spread and hotspots
The ECDC reports that 59 administrative areas across Europe have recorded human West Nile virus infections so far this season. More than half of those affected areas — 36 — are in Italy, concentrated mostly in the country’s northern regions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged heightened vigilance after recent detections of West Nile virus in southern Europe. In parallel reporting from the region there are indications of additional cases: "Seven new cases of West Nile fever; three patients are in critical condition."
Public health authorities in North Macedonia and other affected countries say they are monitoring the situation as mosquito activity continues through the summer. The ECDC and national services continue to track and publish updates on human cases and affected areas.
Health officials advise the public to reduce mosquito breeding sites around homes and to use personal protective measures — such as repellents and window screens — to lower the risk of infection while transmission remains active.
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