Africa's Yellow Fever Fatality Rate Concerns Continue

The World Health Organization (WHO) African Region recently published a yellow fever outbreak update on the Event Information Site.

Since 2021, 40 deaths (9%) have been reported in the total 455 confirmed and probable yellow fever (YF) cases.

The WHO African Region reported on December 23, 2022, twelve African countries (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, and Uganda) reported YF outbreaks this year.

Several recent confirmations have been from urban areas and/or locations with little or no underlying YF immunity (e.g., near urban areas in Cameroon, Uganda, and Kenya).

Recently, a state Nigerian state confirmed it is making progress against YF outbreaks.

On December 13, 2022, the WHO Africa Region reported a total of 1,601 suspected cases of YF had been reported throughout Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (FCT). 

Children in these areas began to receive the Stamaril YF vaccine.

"In Kaiama FCT, the provision of health services, like immunization, is often encumbered by hard-to-reach settlements, mobile populations, and poor road accessibility, among others."

"But WHO has steadfastly provided quality life-saving interventions to the people."

This has been evident in the recent yellow fever intervention with the quality of investigation, surveillance, and response to the outbreak", Alhaji Bashir Muhammed stated in a related press release.

Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. The "yellow" in the name of the disease refers to jaundice ( yellow color eyes) affecting some infected patients, says the WHO.

To alert international visitors, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 Travel Advisory for Nigeria.

According to the CDC, travelers to Nigeria should take steps to prevent YF infections by getting vaccinated at least ten days before travel and taking measures to avoid mosquito bites.

Yellow fever vaccines are offered in the U.S. at certified clinics and pharmacies.