Three West Nile Virus Cases in Croatia; Neighbors Report Dozens of Sick, Some Fatal

Croatia has recorded three cases of West Nile virus infection during July and August, with no associated deaths, according to the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ). Health experts state there is no reason for panic, as this aligns with typical seasonal patterns for the mosquito-borne illness.

The virus is most active during summer and early autumn. Historically, Croatia sees the highest number of cases in its eastern, central, and northwestern regions, including Brod-Posavina, Zagreb, Varaždin, Karlovac, and Vukovar-Srijem counties. While Croatia's situation is managed, neighboring countries are experiencing more severe outbreaks.

Greece has reported 13 deaths from the virus this year, and North Macedonia has registered at least 43 cases, with five fatalities, primarily in the last three weeks. The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged increased vigilance due to the virus's spread.

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes, which contract the virus from birds. Most infected individuals, nearly 80%, show no symptoms. A smaller percentage develop mild flu-like symptoms such as headache and fever. In rare, severe cases, neurological complications like encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the brain's lining) can occur. Individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk, and the illness can be fatal.

There is no specific cure; treatment is symptomatic. HZJZ stresses that the best defense involves personal protection and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds. Recommendations include using insect repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants during peak mosquito activity, installing window and door screens, and regularly removing standing water from household containers like flower pots, buckets, and old tires to prevent mosquito reproduction. Public health services are conducting preventive treatments to destroy larvae in water.

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Kod manjeg dijela ljudi javljaju se blagi simptomi poput glavobolje, povišene temperature i znakova akutne febrilne bolesti. Ipak, nakon inkubacije, koja traje od 3 do 14 dana, kod osjetljivijih osoba mogu se pojaviti teže komplikacije.