N Macedonia reports 8th West Nile virus death

SKOPJE:

 

North Macedonia confirmed on Sunday its eighth death from West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne infection currently sweeping several European countries.

The EU's health agency said earlier this month 15 European countries had recorded more than 1,000 cases this year.

The virus can cause symptoms similar to flu but in extreme cases it can result in tremors, fever, comas and a lethal swelling of the brain tissue known as encephalitis. It can also cause meningitis.

North Macedonia has confirmed 58 cases and eight deaths, all of the fatalities being men aged between 62 and 83 who had underlying health conditions.