Regional Risk Assessment for West Nile in Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)

Abstract

In the last decade several outbreaks of West Nile (WN) Disease were reported in humans and animals in Balkans, including FYROM. During 2017 a Risk Assessment (RA) for WN, was made in FYROM by IZS Umbria e Marche, in collaboration with the local Health Authorities. On the basis of historical data, from 2011 to 2017, 22 human cases of WN were notified. In animals, during 2011-12, 1293 domestic birds and 316 horses were tested for WN, highlighting a prevalence respectively of 5.6% and 3,2%. The mosquitoes population was investigated with traps confirming the presence of Culex pipiens, the main vector of WN. The presence of Aedes albopictus was also documented for the first time in FYROM. Every step of the RA has been accompanied from a field and laboratory training. Finally, a WN Surveillance Plan involving birds, equids and mosquitoes was proposed at FYROM health authorities, as recommended for WN by ECDC when, on the basis of a Risk Assessment, an endemic condition is recognized.