As per reports, on Sunday (19 July), the Public Health Center Tetovo – Department of Epidemiology Gostivar declared a gastroenteritis epidemic across the Municipality of Gostivar after a sharp increase in reported cases exceeded the weekly epidemiological threshold.

• According to Gostivar General Hospital, 204 patients were examined at the Infectious Diseases Department in the past 24 hours, with three patients hospitalised. The Pediatrics Department recorded 140 examinations (105 new and 35 follow-up cases), while an additional nine patients sought treatment at the Emergency Center.
• Health authorities have not yet identified the source of the outbreak. Laboratory testing and epidemiological investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the infections.
• The Gostivar Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched a preliminary investigation into suspicions that the municipal water supply may have been intentionally contaminated. Water samples are currently being analysed by the Institute of Public Health, with results expected on Monday (20 July).
• Authorities have secured the area near Vrutok, the source of the municipal water supply, while investigations remain ongoing.
• The Government has begun distributing emergency drinking water supplies to residents, including an initial delivery of 50,000 litres, as a precautionary measure.