Water Safety Alert: Gostivar residents were told tap water is safe for hygiene but not for drinking/cooking after a coliform contamination scare linked to stomach illness; hyperchlorination reduced contaminants, bottled water continues, and managers at the local utility are under suspicion. Arsenic Warning: Valandovo introduced a ban on drinking tap water after arsenic levels were found about 40% above WHO guidance, with water still considered safe for industrial use and bathing. Fertility Milestone: A Skopje hospital reported a first-time birth for a 61-year-old woman and her 71-year-old husband after a complex IVF cycle using uterine reconstruction and donated eggs; both mother and newborn are said to be in good health. West Nile Virus Watch: WHO is urging mosquito-bite prevention as West Nile cases rise across Europe; locally acquired cases were reported in North Macedonia, alongside Greece, Italy, Spain and Romania, with no licensed human vaccine and treatment focused on supportive care. Air Pollution Impact: Eurostat data ranks Albania fourth in Europe for premature deaths tied to PM2.5, noting North Macedonia and the region carry a heavier health burden than the EU average. Heat & Storm Health Risks: A severe heatwave and storms hit the Balkans; in Skopje, 11 people were hospitalized after a storm caused injuries, outages and blocked roads. International Health Training: Aspetar’s observer programme drew 69 international surgical observers over the past year, highlighting demand for orthopaedic and sports medicine training.