North Macedonia reports 38 West Nile fever cases and four deaths

West Nile fever mosquito control Skopje epidemic neuroinvasive disease public health crisis

North Macedonia is facing a West Nile fever outbreak, with 38 cases reported as of August 18, including 36 confirmed and two probable infections. The outbreak has resulted in four deaths, all involving patients with neuroinvasive disease. The majority of cases, 37, are concentrated in the Skopje region.

Health Minister Sasho Klevkovski has announced that the government is monitoring municipal mosquito spraying efforts. In Skopje, 12 sprayings have been conducted, targeting both adult mosquitoes and larvae. The Skopsko Pole area has been identified as a high-risk zone due to its low elevation and stagnant water.

To combat the spread, the Ministry of Health is implementing a large-scale SMS campaign to inform citizens about protection measures, with approximately 38,500 messages planned. Political tension has emerged as the SDSM party criticized Skopje Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski, alleging that mosquito prevention measures were delayed, contributing to the current health crisis.

Entities

Bitola · Institute of Public Health · Ministry of Health · Ministry of Health of North Macedonia · North Macedonia · Orce Gjorgjievski · Sasho Klevkoski · Sasho Klevkovski · Sašo Klekovski · Skopje · Vardar · Vardar River

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[DISPUTED] As of August 18, 38 cases of West Nile fever have been registered in Macedonia, with 36 confirmed and two probable. skopje1.mk · expres.mk · 360stepeni.mk · novi.ba · beta.rs · +1 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Skopsko Pole is identified as a high-risk zone due to its low elevation, stagnant water, and agricultural channels. expres.mk · denesen.mk · plusinfo.mk
[● 2 SOURCES] Bitola Municipality has initiated extraordinary larvicidal and adulticidal disinfection to combat mosquito vectors. press24.mk
[● 4 SOURCES] Health Minister Sasho Klevkovski stated that detailed results regarding municipal mosquito spraying controls will be released tomorrow. expres.mk · denesen.mk · plusinfo.mk
[● 6 SOURCES] Four deaths have been recorded among individuals suffering from the neuroinvasive form of West Nile fever. skopje1.mk · 360stepeni.mk · novi.ba · beta.rs · www.index.hr · +1 more
[● 4 SOURCES] The City of Skopje conducted 12 mosquito sprayings, consisting of six for adult mosquitoes and six for larvae. expres.mk · denesen.mk · plusinfo.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Ministry has sent 6,526 SMS messages to citizens regarding mosquito protection, with over 31,000 more planned. skopje1.mk
[DISPUTED] 37 of the registered West Nile fever cases occurred within the Skopje region. skopje1.mk · 360stepeni.mk · beta.rs · expres.mk · novi.ba · +1 more
[DISPUTED] All registered cases in 2026 involved patients with neuroinvasive disease. beta.rs
[● 3 SOURCES] Of the 38 West Nile fever cases, 33 patients are over the age of 60. novi.ba · beta.rs · www.index.hr