Albania has recorded its first case of West Nile fever, confirmed in Korçë County on August 1. The case places the country on the European map of this infection, while health institutions are carrying out field checks for the presence of the mosquito suspected of spreading it.
The case was diagnosed at the beginning of the month
According to epidemiologist Adela Vasili of the Institute of Public Health, the case was diagnosed at the beginning of August in Korçë County.
Health authorities have not provided further details on the patient’s condition or the circumstances of exposure, while the confirmation raises questions about the level of epidemiological monitoring in the area.
Albania is also reported on the European map
The case has also been reported to the ECDC, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. With this report, Albania joins the list of European countries where West Nile fever cases have been recorded.
On the same map, Italy reports 311 cases, Greece 157, and North Macedonia 37, indicating that the virus is circulating in the region and beyond.
Symptoms begin like the flu, but the risk can be severe
According to doctors, the disease is spread by mosquito bites. The first signs include fever, headache, muscle pain, and vomiting.
Experts say that in certain cases the infection can affect the brain and cause encephalitis, making it a disease with a serious risk to life.
IPH in the field, while the burden of measures also falls on municipalities
IPH epidemiologists have begun an investigation in Korçë County to verify the presence of the mosquito that spreads the disease. According to the explanation given by specialists, the mosquito becomes infected by birds or horses and then transmits it through its bite.
IPH says it has carried out disinsection in coastal areas during the mosquito breeding period, but attention is also turning to local government. Municipalities are being asked to take measures for disinsection and disinfection of environments, especially near waste collection sites, where failures in maintenance often become a direct risk to public health.
The confirmation of the first case in Korçë takes the issue out of the realm of theoretical alarm and puts the preparedness of health institutions and municipalities to a concrete test.
At this stage, public data remain limited, while public interest calls for fuller transparency on the risk map, preventive measures, and real controls in the field.