West Nile fever is spreading rapidly in the region, with North Macedonia and Greece reporting increases in cases and fatalities in recent days.
North Macedonia has registered its second death from the virus. A 72-year-old man, who was being treated at the Infectious Diseases Clinic in Skopje, has died after contracting the infection from a mosquito bite. According to doctors, the patient also suffered from concomitant diseases. A few days ago, an 83-year-old man also died.
Currently, 19 patients with West Nile fever are hospitalized at the Infectious Diseases Clinic in Skopje, all over the age of 60. All cases have been confirmed by laboratory tests.
Seven new cases were registered this week, all in Skopje. Two cases were reported in the municipalities of Kisela Voda and Gazi Baba, while one case each in Ilinden, Butel and Aerodrom.
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. People over 60 years of age, those with weakened immune systems, and patients with chronic diseases are at greatest risk for complications. There is no specific antiviral treatment for this virus, and treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, while severe cases require hospitalization.
The situation is even worse in Greece. According to the National Organization for Public Health (EODY), 110 cases of West Nile virus and 9 deaths have been confirmed as of August 12. In the last week alone, 45 new cases have been registered, the highest weekly number since the start of the transmission season.
Of the 110 confirmed cases in Greece, 81 have developed severe neurological forms, such as encephalitis, meningitis or meningoencephalitis, while 29 patients have had milder symptoms or no central nervous system involvement.
Currently, 35 patients remain hospitalized, 16 of them in intensive care units. So far, 61 people have been discharged from the hospital after treatment, while five infected people did not require hospitalization.
Greek authorities say all nine victims were over the age of 65, with an average age of 82. Experts warn that the situation could worsen, as the peak of the transmission season is expected in three to four weeks.
According to epidemiologist Theodora Psaltopoulou, the number of deaths recorded so far has been reached much earlier than last year. In the entire 2025 season, Greece recorded 96 cases and 9 deaths, while this year these figures were reached in mid-August.
Experts explain that age over 60 is the main risk factor for developing severe forms of the disease. Elderly people and those with weakened immune systems are much more likely to develop neurological complications.
There is no vaccine for humans or specific antiviral treatment for West Nile virus. For this reason, health authorities in both countries are urging citizens to avoid mosquito bites by using repellents, wearing long-sleeved clothing, installing screen doors on windows, and eliminating standing water, where mosquitoes breed.