A 73-year-old patient from the Skopje municipality of Aerodrom, specifically the Novo Lisiche neighbourhood, has become the fifth person to die from West Nile fever in North Macedonia, Dr. Fadil Cana, director of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, announced on August 22.
The patient was admitted to the clinic in serious condition and with severe underlying health conditions.
“The patient was hospitalized at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases for 22 days and was in a very serious condition from the moment of admission. He was treated in the intensive care unit and placed on respiratory support,” Cana said.
With this case, the number of deaths from West Nile fever in the country has risen to five. There are currently 21 patients hospitalized at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases. Of these, 18 have a confirmed West Nile virus infection with the neuroinvasive form of the disease, while three patients are considered suspected cases.
“Almost every day someone new is hospitalized, and the number of patients at the clinic remains at around 20 to 21,” Cana said.
