A second case of West Nile virus has been confirmed in Albania, bringing the total number of reported cases in the country to two so far in 2026.

The second case was identified in Korçë County, the same area where the first case of the year was recorded.

The first case was confirmed in August and involved a 72-year-old man from Korçë. After developing health problems, he sought treatment at the Korçë Regional Hospital, where laboratory tests confirmed an infection with West Nile virus.

Following the first confirmed case, Albania’s Institute of Public Health launched an epidemiological and entomological investigation in Korçë County. Health specialists conducted fieldwork to assess the presence of mosquito species capable of transmitting the virus and collected samples from local residents for further testing.

West Nile virus is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Most people infected with the virus do not develop symptoms. When symptoms occur, they may include fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, nausea and vomiting.

In rare cases, the infection can affect the nervous system and lead to severe forms of the disease.