Another case of West Nile virus has been confirmed in Albania, bringing the number of people affected this year to two.
The second case has also been identified in Korça, the same district where the first infection was recorded for 2026.
The first case was confirmed in August and involved a 72-year-old man from Korça. After developing health problems, the elderly man was taken to the Korça Regional Hospital, where tests confirmed the presence of the West Nile virus.
Following the first case, the Institute of Public Health launched an epidemiological and entomological investigation in the Korça region, with specialists going to the field to verify the presence of mosquitoes that could transmit the virus. Samples were also taken from residents of the area for analysis.
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of infected mosquitoes. In most cases, the infection is asymptomatic, but those who do develop symptoms may experience fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, nausea, and vomiting. In rare cases, the infection can affect the nervous system and cause severe forms of the disease.
