AGP Executive Report

West Nile virus alert: Greece is seeing a sharp rise in West Nile virus cases, with 45 new infections in a week and 9 deaths so far; Attica accounts for about 70% of cases, and health experts warn transmission could continue through October as mosquito numbers stay high. Regional public health: The EU’s health agency is urging people across Europe to protect themselves from mosquito bites, as West Nile spreads to new areas and severe illness risk is highest for older adults. Local outbreak in North Macedonia: North Macedonia has declared a West Nile fever outbreak in Skopje and nearby municipalities, with 26 confirmed cases by Aug. 11 and one death; officials say there’s no need for panic but urge bite prevention. Water safety scare in Skopje: A bottled-water rush followed rumours of contamination of tap water; the mayor publicly tested the water and blamed misinformation, pointing to controlled testing around the Rašče spring. Medical access dispute: Bulgaria’s foreign ministry and Bulgarian MEPs say a Bulgarian-Macedonian citizen, Iva Mihaylova, is being blocked from leaving North Macedonia for urgent treatment, raising concerns about delays in care.

West Nile alert for the region: Greece is reporting a sharp rise in West Nile virus cases, with 45 new infections in a week bringing the total to 110 and nine deaths so far, mostly among people over 65; health authorities in Athens have stepped up mosquito fumigation by 30% as transmission season ramps up. Local outbreak in North Macedonia: North Macedonia has declared a West Nile fever outbreak across Skopje and five surrounding municipalities, with 26 confirmed cases by Aug. 11 and one death reported, while officials urge residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites. Skopje water scare: Skopje saw a rush to bottled water after rumours of tap contamination with bacteria; the mayor publicly drank from the tap, blamed misinformation, and pointed to controlled testing around the Rašče spring. Cross-border medical access dispute: Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry and Bulgarian MEPs say a Bulgarian citizen, Iva Mihailova, is being blocked from leaving North Macedonia for urgent neurological treatment, prompting renewed diplomatic pressure and appeals. Health-related travel incident: A Ryanair Boeing 737-800 incident over North Macedonia involved a shattered window after an engine part failure, with four passengers taken to hospital as a precaution. Care after surgery: Hibs defender Jack Iredale returned to action after appendicitis surgery, highlighting how quickly serious illness can disrupt health and daily life.

West Nile alert in Skopje: North Macedonia has declared a West Nile fever outbreak across Skopje and five nearby municipalities, with 26 confirmed cases as of Aug. 11 and one reported death (an 83-year-old). Officials say four more patients are being tested and urge residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites, noting there’s no vaccine and many infections cause no symptoms. Water safety scare in the capital: Skopje saw a bottled-water rush after rumors of E. coli contamination in tap water; Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski publicly drank from the tap, called the claims misinformation, and said lab checks cover dozens of points around the Rašče spring, while reports were filed for investigation. Cross-border treatment dispute: Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry says it used all communication channels with North Macedonia after a court refusal to let Iva Mihaylova leave for urgent neurological treatment, while Bulgarian MEPs also urged EU action over what they call medical and legal delays. Regional context—Greece’s surge: Greece reported a “significant” rise in West Nile cases (45 new in a week; 110 total; nine deaths), stepping up mosquito control in Athens—an important reminder for the region’s summer risk.

West Nile Alert in Skopje: North Macedonia health authorities have declared a West Nile fever outbreak across Skopje and five nearby municipalities, with 26 confirmed cases by Aug. 11 and one death reported; four more people were still being tested. Officials urged residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites, noting there’s no vaccine and many infections cause no symptoms. Water Safety Panic in Skopje: A sudden rush to bottled water followed overnight rumours that Skopje tap water was contaminated with E. coli and other bacteria; Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski publicly drank tap water to show it was safe and said lab testing covers dozens of points around the city, while he accused opponents of spreading fear. Cross-Border Medical Access Dispute: Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry says it is using all communication channels with North Macedonia after a court refusal to let Iva Mihailova leave for urgent treatment for a serious neurological condition; Bulgarian officials and MEPs continue to press for faster access to care abroad.

West Nile alert: North Macedonia has declared a West Nile fever outbreak across Skopje and five nearby municipalities, with 26 confirmed cases by Aug. 11 and one death (an 83-year-old). Officials say there’s no need for panic, but urge strict mosquito-bite protection as no vaccine exists. Water safety scare: Skopje faced a bottled-water rush after rumors of E. coli contamination linked to the Rašče spring; Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski publicly drank tap water and called the claims misinformation, while pointing to lab testing across multiple locations and filing a report for investigation. Cross-border medical dispute: Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry met Iva Mihailova’s mother and says it’s using all communication channels with North Macedonia after a Kocani court refused her exit for urgent neurological treatment; Bulgarian MEPs also issued an EU-level urgent appeal. Regional health pressure: Greece reported a sharp West Nile rise—45 new cases in a week, 110 total, and nine deaths—prompting increased mosquito-control in Athens.

West Nile Alert (Skopje): North Macedonia has declared a West Nile fever outbreak across Skopje and five nearby municipalities, with 26 confirmed cases by Aug. 11 and one death (an 83-year-old). Health officials urged residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites, noting there’s no vaccine and many infections cause no symptoms. Cross-Border Medical Dispute (Iva Mihaylova): Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry says it met Iva Mihaylova’s mother and gave assurances that Bulgaria is using all communication channels with North Macedonia after a Kocani court refused her exit for urgent treatment of a serious neurological condition. Diplomatic Pressure (EU lawmakers): Bulgarian MEPs issued an urgent appeal to EU leadership, alleging human-rights and rule-of-law violations in Mihaylova’s case, including claims that North Macedonia is blocking access to necessary care abroad. Water Safety Panic (Rašče spring): Skopje saw a rush to bottled water after rumors of tap contamination with bacteria; the mayor publicly drank tap water, called the claims misinformation, and said lab testing is done across many locations while authorities investigate.

Medical Travel Dispute: North Macedonia’s Foreign Ministry says Bulgaria is using all communication channels after a Kocani court refused to let dual citizen Iva Mihailova leave for urgent treatment of a serious neurological condition, with Bulgaria’s side warning of irreversible harm if delays continue. West Nile Alert (Skopje): Health authorities have declared a West Nile fever outbreak across Skopje and five nearby municipalities, confirming 26 cases by Aug. 11 and reporting one death, while urging residents to prevent mosquito bites. Regional Outbreak Pressure (Greece): Greece reported a sharp rise in West Nile infections—45 new cases in a week, bringing totals to 110 and deaths to 9—prompting increased mosquito-control measures around Athens. Public Health Risk (Water Rumours): A Skopje bottled-water rush followed online claims about tap water contamination; the mayor publicly tested the water, blamed misinformation, and pointed to ongoing lab checks tied to the Rašče spring. EU Health/Justice Watch: Bulgarian MEPs and President Iliana Iotova renewed calls to EU leaders and North Macedonia’s government over Mihailova’s denied medical travel, framing it as a humanitarian and rule-of-law issue.

West Nile Alert (Skopje): North Macedonia has declared a West Nile fever outbreak across Skopje and five nearby municipalities, with 26 confirmed cases as of Aug. 11 and one death (an 83-year-old). Officials say four more patients are being tested and urge residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites; there’s no vaccine and many infections cause no symptoms. West Nile Surge (Region): Greece is reporting a sharp rise too—45 new cases in a week, bringing totals to 110 infections and 9 deaths, with 81 cases involving serious central nervous system complications; authorities in Athens have increased mosquito-control fumigation by 30%. Cross-border Care Dispute: Bulgaria’s foreign ministry and EU lawmakers are again pressing North Macedonia to allow Iva Mihailova—injured in a 2025 road crash and needing specialized spinal treatment abroad—to travel for care after Kočani court denials. Water Panic (Skopje): A bottled-water rush followed rumors of bacterial contamination in Skopje tap water; the mayor publicly drank from the tap, saying the Rašče spring is protected and lab checks are ongoing.

West Nile fever in North Macedonia: Health authorities have declared a West Nile fever outbreak across Skopje and five surrounding municipalities. Mosquito-borne risk: 26 cases were confirmed by Aug 11, with four more under testing, and one 83-year-old patient has died; officials urged residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites, noting there is no vaccine and many infections cause no symptoms. Cross-border medical rights dispute: Bulgarian MEPs and Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry are again pressing North Macedonia to allow Iva Mihailova—injured in a 2025 road accident and needing spinal treatment abroad—to receive timely care after Kočani court refusals; they warn of irreversible neurological damage and cite a medical panel saying the procedure isn’t available locally. Public health misinformation flare-up: Skopje faced a bottled-water rush after rumours of E. coli contamination; Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski publicly drank tap water, called the claims politically driven, and said lab checks are carried out across the city’s water supply. Regional context: Across Europe, West Nile cases are rising, with Greece reporting a sharp increase and deaths, while surveillance reports list locally acquired infections including North Macedonia.

Human Rights & Medical Access: Bulgarian MEPs and Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry are escalating pressure on North Macedonia over the case of 22-year-old Iva Mihailova, saying she has been repeatedly denied permission to travel for urgent treatment abroad despite a Skopje medical panel confirming the needed procedure isn’t available in North Macedonia; the Kočani Basic Court again refused her request for access, raising fears of permanent neurological damage. Public Health—West Nile Virus: North Macedonia has declared a West Nile fever outbreak in Skopje and five surrounding municipalities, with 26 confirmed cases by Aug. 11 and one death, while additional patients are being tested; officials urge mosquito-bite protection and say there’s no need for panic. Public Health—Water Safety Panic: Skopje saw a bottled-water rush after rumours of E. coli contamination linked to the Rašče spring; Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski publicly drank tap water to calm fears, while authorities investigate the claims and the safety controls around the protected spring. Regional Health Context: Across Europe, West Nile activity is rising, with Greece reporting a “significant” increase (45 new cases in a week, nine deaths) and ECDC reporting human cases in multiple countries including North Macedonia.

Water Safety & Public Trust: In Skopje, bottled-water panic flared after rumours of tap contamination with E. coli, but Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski publicly drank from the tap and said the Rašče spring is protected with restricted access and lab checks across 36 locations. Mosquito-Borne Health Alert: North Macedonia health authorities declared a West Nile fever outbreak in Skopje and five surrounding municipalities, with 26 confirmed cases by Aug. 11 and one death (an 83-year-old), urging people to prevent mosquito bites. Regional West Nile Update: Europe’s surveillance shows 245 locally acquired human West Nile cases so far in 2026, with North Macedonia reporting 13; Greece and Italy lead, and officials warn more cases are likely as transmission season continues. Cross-Border Medical Access Dispute: Bulgaria’s president and foreign ministry again urged North Macedonia to allow Iva Mihailova to receive timely treatment in Bulgaria after Kočani court denials, citing risk of permanent injury from her severe neurological condition.

West Nile Alert in Skopje: North Macedonia’s health authorities have declared a West Nile fever outbreak across Skopje and five surrounding municipalities, with 26 confirmed cases as of Aug. 11 and one death; four more people were still being tested. Officials urged residents to avoid mosquito bites, noting there’s no vaccine and many infections cause no symptoms. Europe-Wide Surveillance: A European health report (data up to Aug. 5) shows 245 locally acquired human West Nile cases across seven countries, including 13 in North Macedonia, with 12 deaths reported in Greece, Italy and Romania; the report warns undercounting is possible due to reporting delays. Cross-Border Health Pressure: Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry renewed calls for North Macedonia to allow Iva Mihailova to receive timely medical treatment in Bulgaria after Kočani court decisions again refused permission; Bulgaria says delays risk permanent, irreversible injury. Heat and Wildfire Risk: With a heatwave pushing temperatures to around 37°C in Skopje, North Macedonia recorded 14 open-air fires by Aug. 4, including a major blaze near Kavadarci that was nearly contained.

Medical Rights Dispute: Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry says North Macedonia courts have again refused Iva Mihailova permission to receive specialized treatment in Bulgaria after a 2025 road crash, warning of “permanent injuries” and urging access to timely care; Diplomatic Pressure: Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova plans to contact North Macedonia’s leadership and the case is set for discussion in Bulgaria’s Parliament committee hearing her mother; Public Health Alert: West Nile virus continues to spread across Europe, with 241 human cases reported so far and North Macedonia listed among affected countries (13 cases), while Greece reports rising deaths and severe neuroinvasive illness risk; Local Health & Safety: North Macedonia is also dealing with extreme heat and drought-linked wildfires, with 14 open-air fires registered by Aug 4, adding strain to emergency response and outdoor health risks.

Medical Access Dispute: Bulgaria’s President Iliana Iotova and the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry again urged North Macedonia to allow Iva Mihailova to receive timely, adequate medical treatment in Bulgaria after a Kočani court refused permission, warning of a real risk of permanent, irreversible injuries for the woman with severe neurological damage. Public Health Alert: West Nile virus is spreading across Europe, with 241 human cases reported so far and 13 in North Macedonia; Spain also reported its first fatal case of the year, and experts warn August–September are the highest-risk months. Local Health & Safety: North Macedonia is battling wildfires amid an ongoing drought and heatwave, with multiple open-air fires reported and firefighting efforts concentrated in regions such as Kavadarci. Health-Related Travel Context: With mosquito-borne risk rising in parts of Europe, health authorities are urging travelers to use repellents, cover up at dawn and dusk, and seek care promptly if symptoms appear after bites.

Medical Rights Dispute: Bulgaria’s President Iliana Iotova and the Foreign Ministry renewed pressure on North Macedonia over Iva Mihailova’s case, after a Kočani court again refused permission for her to receive specialized treatment in Bulgaria for a severe neurological condition following a 2025 road accident. Cross-Border Health Access: Bulgaria says local health authorities confirm the needed care can’t be provided in North Macedonia and warns of a real risk of permanent, irreversible injuries—while MPs heard testimony from Mihailova’s mother and the case is set for further parliamentary committee discussion. Infectious Disease Watch: West Nile virus is spreading across Europe, with 241 human cases reported this season and North Macedonia listed among affected countries; health agencies stress there’s no vaccine or antidote, so prevention (repellent, covering up, avoiding mosquito exposure) is key. Public Health Context: Spain reported its first West Nile death of the year, and Greece’s outbreak is accelerating with rising hospitalizations and deaths, highlighting the late-summer risk period. Climate & Health Risks: North Macedonia is also battling wildfires amid extreme heat and drought, with multiple open-air fires reported and firefighting resources deployed.

Cross-border medical rights dispute: Bulgaria’s President Iliana Iotova says she will contact North Macedonia’s government and President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova to press for access to “timely and adequate” treatment for Iva Mihailova, who has been repeatedly denied permission to leave Kočani for care after a serious 2025 road crash. Court developments: Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry says a Kočani court again refused treatment access, despite a local health authority opinion that the needed care isn’t available in North Macedonia and that delays risk permanent, irreversible harm. Infectious disease watch: West Nile virus continues to spread across Europe, with 241 human cases reported this season so far (including 13 in North Macedonia) and warnings that August–September are the highest-risk months; health guidance focuses on avoiding mosquito bites. Local health pressure from climate: North Macedonia is battling wildfires amid an intense drought and heatwave, with multiple open-air fires reported and firefighting resources deployed. Health-adjacent travel note: Spain has reported its first West Nile death of the year, prompting renewed mosquito-bite precautions for travelers.