West Nile virus cases rise across North Macedonia, Greece, and Croatia

West Nile virus public health outbreak mosquito-borne disease epidemiology Balkan region

West Nile virus cases are rising across several Balkan and Mediterranean countries. In North Macedonia, health officials have recorded 55 total cases, with 53 confirmed and 52 requiring hospitalization. The mortality rate in the country is reported at 11.5 percent, with seven deaths recorded so far.

Greece is experiencing a significant outbreak, with 232 total cases and 19 deaths reported. Authorities have noted an increase in the number of municipalities affected and have placed certain areas, such as Crete, under increased surveillance. Experts warn that September may be a difficult month with a peak in cases expected.

In Croatia, health officials are monitoring the spread of the virus, noting that while some regions like Bjelovarsko-bilogorska county have not seen cases this year, the risk remains high during mosquito season. Officials emphasize that the virus is transmitted by the Culex pipiens mosquito, not the tiger mosquito.

In Kosovo, historical data shows a total of nine cases recorded between 2021 and 2025, with seven of those occurring in 2024. Health officials reiterate that the virus is not transmitted person-to-person but through infected mosquitoes and snails.

Entities

Alemka Markotić · Croatia · Croatian Institute of Public Health · Dijana Mayer · Dr. Andrija Štampar Institute · Dr. Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health · Dr. Fran Mihaljević Clinic · Dr. Fran Mihaljević Clinic for Infectious Diseases · ECDC · European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control · Greece · Kosovo

Claims

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

[● 5 SOURCES] The West Nile virus outbreak is expected to continue until October, depending on weather conditions. www.thebest.gr · www.usay.gr · www.newsit.gr · www.press-gr.com · www.alfavita.gr
[● 4 SOURCES] There are significantly more mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus this year compared to last year. www.thebest.gr · www.usay.gr · www.newsit.gr · www.press-gr.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The ECDC has recorded 157 West Nile virus cases across 17 regional units in Greece. www.thebest.gr · www.usay.gr · www.newsit.gr · www.press-gr.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Mosquito spraying operations have increased by 30% compared to the previous year. www.thebest.gr · www.usay.gr · www.newsit.gr · www.press-gr.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Approximately 60% of West Nile virus cases in Greece are located in Attica. www.efsyn.gr · www.ethnos.gr · healthmag.gr
[● 6 SOURCES] There have been 19 deaths attributed to the West Nile virus in Greece. www.alfavita.gr · www.ethnos.gr · www.efsyn.gr
[● 6 SOURCES] Greece has recorded 232 confirmed West Nile virus cases. www.alfavita.gr · www.ethnos.gr · www.efsyn.gr
[● 6 SOURCES] The virus is transmitted via mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds. www.in.gr · www.larissanet.gr · www.efsyn.gr · www.ethnos.gr
[● 7 SOURCES] Three patients developed severe symptoms requiring hospitalization, while four cases were asymptomatic. www.dnevno.hr · www.vecernji.ba · radiobrcko.ba · radiosarajevo.ba
[● 9 SOURCES] Seven West Nile virus infections have been recorded in Croatia. www.dnevno.hr · www.vecernji.ba · radiobrcko.ba · radiosarajevo.ba
[● 5 SOURCES] Approximately 1% of infected individuals develop severe neurological forms, with mortality rates between 10% and 20%. vijesti.hrt.hr · bigportal.ba · www.kurir.rs
[● 8 SOURCES] The Dr. Andrija Štampar Institute ordered urgent anti-epidemic measures to suppress mosquito populations in Zagreb. teleskop.hr · www.dnevno.hr · www.kurir.rs · www.poslovni.hr