Skopje, 30 August 2024 (MIA) - The Public Health Institute (PHI) has recorded the third case of West Nile fever in the country. A 60-year-old woman from Tetovo has claimed she has not travelled abroad or beyond her place of residence during the incubation period. The report was filed to the PHI on August 22.

The PHI press release says the patient felt the initial symptoms - exhaustion and weakness - on August 13. Her family doctor prescribed medications but a couple of days later she felt confused and disoriented, and went to the Tetovo Clinical Hospital where she developed a fever. Since her state did not change for six days, she was sent to the Skopje-based University Clinic for Infectious Diseases, where the analyses confirmed the West Nile fever. The patient is still hospitalized at the clinic.

The PHI says mosquitos are a presence in the Tetovo region, since no disinsection activities have been carried out due to delays in the public procurement procedures.

The Institute says there are sporadic West Nile fever cases in the country, mostly among tested patients with neuroinvasive form of the disease.

Vector-borne diseases are becoming more frequent, with climate change largely affecting the distribution and the activity of vectors. Many of these diseases are already present in North Macedonia, such as Lyme disease, West Nile fever, some hemorrhagic fevers, tularemia etc, while others such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya can potentially enter the country.

Therefore, the PHI says there is probability of further reporting of new cases nationwide. The risk is medium during the spring-summer period, but it can be minimized by observing the prevention recommendations issued by competent authorities.

MIA file photo