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Balkan mosquito control intensifies amid West Nile fever

Updated 8 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-19 19:12 UTC → 2026-08-19 20:38 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Heat-wave mitigation across the Balkans continues to focus on public cooling, mosquito control, and protecting infrastructure. Mosquito management remains a high priority due to disease risks. In North Macedonia, the situation has escalated into a West Nile fever epidemic. As of August 18, 38 cases have been reported, including 36 confirmed cases and two probable infections. The outbreak has resulted in four ~~deaths related to~~ deaths, all involving patients with the neuroinvasive form of the ~~disease. The~~ disease; the deceased were men aged 62 to 83. Most cases, 37, are concentrated in the Skopje region. In response, the Ministry of Health ~~has completed inspections of~~ is monitoring municipal spraying efforts and is conducting an SMS campaign to reach approximately 38,500 citizens. In Bitola, the municipality has launched extraordinary disinfection ~~measures in coordination with the Public Health Center.~~ measures. In Skopje, 12 ~~sprayings~~ to 13 disinfection treatments have targeted both adult mosquitoes and larvae, with Skopsko Pole identified as a high-risk area due to low elevation and stagnant water. ~~Health authorities noted the virus is carried by approximately 250 bird species acting as reservoirs.~~ A political dispute has emerged in Skopje regarding the management of the outbreak. The SDSM party criticized Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski, alleging that mosquito control measures were “too late, too weak, or missed key hotspots.” Conversely, VMRO-DPMNE defended the city’s actions, characterizing the criticisms as “accusations, lies, manipulations, and disinformation.” ~~The City of Skopje maintains that disinfection efforts follow a systematic schedule~~ Despite official efforts, some residents report an alarming mosquito presence, citing uncleaned debris and ~~has planned more than 20 additional sessions for the remainder of the season.~~ fallen trees from recent storms as potential breeding grounds. In Serbia, Belgrade’s public utility JKP Gradska čistoća has expanded its mosquito control campaign to include Grocka, Vinča, Ritopek, and Vrčin, as well as the Danube banks and various urban residential areas. Authorities have advised beekeepers to take precautions and urged residents to remove standing water.

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