Gostivar water contamination epidemic declared

Health authorities in Gostivar, North Macedonia, declared a gastro‑enteritis epidemic after more than 1,200 residents sought medical help for severe stomach symptoms, with daily case numbers ranging from 250 to 300. The outbreak prompted the Institute of Public Health, the Ministry of Health and the regional hospital to launch epidemiological surveys, collect water and stool samples, and coordinate treatment, mainly rehydration and infusion therapy.

The Public Health Institute reported that an illegal pump had been installed on the main water pipeline, introducing untreated river water into the supply, and the Food and Veterinary Agency issued a ban on using the municipal water for drinking or food preparation. While investigations continue, the water analysis results are expected from the public prosecutor’s office.

To meet basic needs, the government began distributing 50,000 liters of bottled water per day from seven distribution points and supplied additional bottled water shipments. Officials emphasized that the epidemic declaration enables better coordination among health services and that the cause, whether water‑borne or other, will be clarified once laboratory results are released.