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Tag: yellow fever

  • Yellow fever cases in Nigeria hit 1,600

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has received 1,601 suspected yellow fever cases from 463 local government areas throughout 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory.

    The incidents were recorded between January 1 and September 30, 2022.

    In 10 of the states, a total of 15 deaths from suspected cases were reported on Wednesday November 9, 2022 according to the status report our correspondent was able to get.

    Yellow Fever is described as an Acute viral hemorrhagic disease which is spread by infected mosquitoes.

    The word “yellow” in the name alludes to the jaundice that some patients experience.

    Yellow fever symptoms include fever, headache, jaundice, muscle aches, nauseousness, vomiting, and exhaustion.
    When a patient contracts the virus, a tiny percentage of them experience severe symptoms, and between seven and ten days later, half of them pass away.

    According to the report, 1,601 suspected cases overall—from January 1, 2022, to September 30, 2022—have been recorded from 463 LGAs in 36 states, including the FCT.

    “The cases were reported from the following states: Abia (48), Adamawa (21), Akwa Ibom (9), Anambra (94), Bauchi (81), Bayelsa (25), Benue (28), Borno (139), Cross River (41), Delta (10), Ebonyi (31), Edo (22), Ekiti (44), Enugu (67), FCT (7), Gombe (16), Imo (77), Jigawa (103), Kaduna (14), Kano (15), Katsina (107), Kebbi (33), Kogi (20), Kwara (29), Lagos (6), Nasarawa (27), Niger (27), Ogun (41), Ondo (74), Osun (22), Oyo (94), Plateau (70), Rivers (28), Sokoto (22), Taraba (51), Yobe (41) and Zamfara (17).

    “Total of 15 presumptive positives and eight inconclusive results were recorded from the Nigeria Laboratory network.

    “These presumptive positives were from UBTH Benin (3), MDH Abuja (2), CPHL Lagos (6), YDMH (2) and NRL Abuja (2). These were reported from Edo -1 (Egor), Cross River -1 (Akabuyo). Niger -1 (Suleja). Rivers-1 (Port-Harcourt), Taraba -1(Karim Lamido), Anambra -1 (Ogabaru), Sokoto-2 (Dange-shuni, Tambuwal), Ogun-1 (Ijebu East) Osun-1 (Atakunmosa East), Ondo-3 (Akure South), Ekiti-1 (Irepodun/Ifelodun), Kwara-1 (Kaiama). The inconclusive cases were reported from Oyo -1 (Olorunsogo) and Anambra-2 (Idemili South (1), Ayamelum (1) and Imo -2 (Nwangele (1), Ahiazu Mbaise (1)), Enugu -1 (Agwu (1), Ogun-1 (Ijebu Ode) and Osun -3 (Irewole (1). These samples have been shipped to IP Dakar for confirmation.

    “Seven confirmed cases have been reported from IP Dakar from Anambra-2 [Idemili South (1), Ogbaru (1)], Imo -1 [Nwangele (1)], Ondo-1 [Akure South (1), Osun-2 [Atakunmosa East (1), Irewole (1)], Sokoto-1 [Dange-shuni (1)].

    “Fifteen deaths recorded from suspected cases in Abia (1), Bayelsa (1), Benue (1), Imo (1), Kaduna (2), Katsina (2), Kebbi (1), Taraba (2), Yobe (1) and Zamfara (3) States [CFR = 1.0 per cent].

    “Male-to-female ratio for suspected cases was 1.2:1 with males 871(54.4 per cent) and females 730(45.6 per cent).

    “74 per cent of cases were predominantly aged 30 years and below.

    “One hundred and seventy-four (11 per cent) of 1,601 suspected cases received at least one dose of the yellow fever vaccine

    “The NCDC is coordinating response activities through the National Multi-agency Yellow Fever Technical Working Group.”

  • Yellow fever kills 25 in Savannah and Upper West Regions

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced that nine more individuals have succumbed to yellow fever in two regions in northern Ghana.

    This brings the death toll to 25 “from both Savannah and Upper West Regions and 18 are on admission,” the director-general of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, said in a statement.

    He said GHS has begun vigorous vaccination in the regions to control the spread of the virus.

    “Following the report of cases in Savannah Region, other cases have been reported in Wa East District of the Upper West Region and reactive vaccination has also been initiated,” the statement added.

    The yellow fever virus is found in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa and South America. The virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito.

    Below is the full statement:

    Source: dailymailgh.com

  • Yellow fever outbreak: Death toll goes up to 25

    The Ghana Health Service has disclosed that the recent Yellow Fever outbreak which was first detected in some districts of the Savannah Region has led to 25 deaths.

    According to the latest update by the GHS, the virus has also been detected in the Upper West Region.

    The Ghana Health Service however indicated it has initiated steps to manage the outbreak, since the outbreak of the disease.

    As of November 15, 2021, 43,615 persons have been vaccinated in the Savannah Region as part of this intervention.

    “Following the report of cases in the Savannah Region, other cases have been reported in Wa East District of the Upper West Region and reactive vaccination has also been initiated,” the statement said.

    Read the full statement below:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 6 more die of suspected yellow fever

    Six new deaths have been recorded from the suspected yellow fever outbreak in the Savannah Region.

    This puts the number of persons who have died from the disease so far at 14.

    The individuals include a male adult and 13 children.

    According to Graphic Online, “twenty-two persons who contracted the disease are currently on admission at the West Gonja Municipal Hospital in Damongo, while 17 others have been treated and discharged from the same facility.

    This was revealed by the Savannah Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Chrysantus Kubio. According to her, all the cases were recorded in the West Gonja Municipality and the North Gonja District.

    He indicated that the new cases were recorded after the regional health directorate intensified its surveillance in the various communities.

    He added that most of the initial deaths were due to the delay in reporting to the health facilities.

    Dr Kubio indicated that the directorate had dispatched medical personnel to the affected communities to vaccinate and screen the residents.

    “There is no cause for alarm because we are doing everything possible to contain the situation,” he assured.

    He advised the residents to report early to the health facilities for medical checkups when they detect any signs and symptoms of the disease.

    Background

    In October 2021 The Ghana Health Service issued a statement announcing that there is a suspected case of Yellow Fever recorded in the Savannah Region.

    Eight persons are said to have died from the suspected Yellow Fever.

    According to the GHS, samples taken to test for other viral infections such as Ebola, Lassa, Marbug and Zika all tested negative.

    It said the affected persons were nomads from slated communities in the West and North Gonja.

    The GHS has therefore admonished the public to avoid mosquito bites or take the vaccination against Yellow Fever if they had never taken it.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Yellow fever kills eight persons in Savannah Region

    Eight persons have been reported dead from a suspected Yellow Fever outbreak in the Savannah Region.

    This follows interim laboratory results of an unusual disease from the region, a press release from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has stated.

    It said the disease was presumed to be Yellow Fever and that samples had been shipped for final confirmation.

    The release, signed by Director General of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye said tests for other Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers like Ebola, Lassa, Marburg and Zika were all negative.

    It said the victims, all nomads in selected communities in West and North Gonja of the Savannah region had never been vaccinated against Yellow Fever.

    The GHS, therefore, urged all persons from the Region who had a fever, general weakness, headache, nausea, and vomiting to immediately report to the nearest health facility.

    It encouraged individuals who had never been vaccinated against Yellow Fever to do so.

    “Avoid mosquito bites by wearing clothing that covers all parts of the body and report to the nearest health facility if you have a fever and, especially when you have yellowish discolouration of your eyes,” the Service advised.

    A team of experts from the Service, Center for Disease Control (CDC) Ghana, World Health Organization (WHO) Ghana, and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) has been deployed to support the Savannah Region to investigate and institute appropriate control measures, it stated.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Ghana Health Service starts yellow fever vaccination

    The Northern Regional Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service is set to vaccinate about 1,69000 people against yellow fever in the coming days.

    The immunisation exercise which commenced on Thursday and ends on November 18 will be in 13 districts across the region at designated points and health facilities.

    Addressing the press at a short briefing in Tamale, Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr Hilarius Abiwu said they have targeted at vaccinating about 65% of the total population in these districts between the ages of 10 to 60.

    This he said will translate to about 1,69000 people. He said these 13 districts are the target because they have not benefited in the previous exercise.

    He said yellow fever is a disease that is cause by a virus and transmitted from person to person.

    Dr. Abiwu noted that diseases that are caused by virus have no cure adding that there only intervention that science has made available to stop vary infection is through immunisations.

    Adding that people who are infected with yellow fever are liable to contruct jaundice resulting in yellow eyes.

    He indicated that majority of the people who may get infected by yellow fever may not get severe symptoms but the small number that will develop severe symptoms, about half of them die.

    Dr. Abiwu said most parts of Africa and some parts of South America are currently endemic for yellow fever.

    The Deputy Director advised that those who have been immunized already should not take part again.

    Source: MyJoyOnline

  • GHS launches Yellow Fever Vaccination Campaign in Central Region

    The Central Regional Office of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Thursday launched the Yellow Fever Vaccination Campaign at the Elmina Polyclinic in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA) District of the Central Region.

    The yellow fever disease preventive awareness campaign was to create awareness across the region.

    Launching the Campaign, Dr. (Mrs) Akosua Agyeiwaa Owusu-Sarpong urged the people between the ages of 10 and 60 to get vaccinated in all health centres and immunization outreach points, adding that the vaccine was safe and free.

    She indicated that 11 districts in the region will be involved in the campaign which will end on Wednesday, November,18.

    The 11 districts include Mfantseman, KEEA, Agona West, Agona East, Gomoa East, Gomoa Central, Gomoa West, Asikuma- Odoben- Brakwa and Ekumfi.

    “The vaccination is free, get vaccinated and be protected for life,“ she added.

    Speaking on the nature of the disease, Dr Owusu Sarpong noted that it was an acute viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes which had no cure and can only be sustained with supported treatment.

    She asked pregnant women and children below 10 years from taking the vaccine because it was not safe and could ignite serious complications.

    For his part, Dr Kwabena Sarpong, the Deputy Regional Director of Public Health, said even though the region is at high risk of yellow fever, it had not yet recorded any confirmed case.

    He entreated people to take an active part in the exercise to be protected themselves against the disease as it affects was highly erroneous.

    Source: GNA

  • GHS to begin Phase B of yellow fever vaccination exercise

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is to begin Phase B of yellow fever Preventive Mass Vaccination Campaign (PMVC) to immunise the public against the disease in two districts of the Volta Region.

    The one-week exercise is slated to start from November 12 to 18, 2020 in Akatsi North and Agotime-Ziope and would be carried out in 85 districts in 14 regions throughout the country.

    Mr Anthony Mawuli Pani, Volta Regional Coordinator, Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI) disclosing this at a media briefing in Ho said 42,683 and 36,721 people were expected to be immunised in Akatsi North and Agotime-Ziope, respectively.

    He said the objective of the exercise was to increase the population immunity against the disease and to protect susceptible older age groups in selected high-risk areas.

    He said according to the World Health Organisation the vaccine was for a lifetime and would be administered to persons between 10 and 60 years, disclosing that an estimated number of 200,000 cases of yellow fever and 30,000 deaths annually worldwide had been recorded.

    Mr Pani said 85 percent of people, who suffered from the disease might be asymptomatic, while 15 percent severely affected with fatality up to 50 percent, therefore “vaccination is the main stay.”

    The Coordinator noted that the vaccination was not a specific treatment but rather to manage conditions of the disease for a better recovery.

    Mr Pani said pregnant women would not be dosed during the exercise because the vaccine could lead to a defect in the child.

    Madam Patricia Mawufemor Baku, Regional Health Promotion Officer, called on the public to avail themselves to be vaccinated and offered maximum support to the authorities undertaking the exercise to achieve the desired objective.

    She said all COVID-19 preventive protocols would be strictly observed for the safety of the public and the health staff, urging the public to continue to abide by all the necessary protocols so that “together we can end this pandemic.”

    Source: GNA

  • Uganda confirms yellow fever outbreak, three dead

    Ugandan health minister Ruth Aceng on Friday confirmed that three people have been killed in a yellow fever outbreak in the midwestern and northwestern parts of the country.

    Two adult men, who were 18 and 21 and dealing in cutting and trading timber between Uganda and neighboring South Sudan, succumbed to the virus in the northwestern district of Moyo earlier this month, and a third male victim, a 37-year-old cattle keeper, died last November in the midwestern district of Buliisa, the minister said.

    The cattle keeper’s wife, 38, also tested positive of the yellow fever virus, on January 22.

    “Blood samples were withdrawn and sent for testing at Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI). Results from UVRI confirmed yellow fever infection,” Aceng said.

    Read:50 dead, dozens in hospital as yellow fever hits Nigeria

    She said the health ministry and the World Health Organization have dispatched rapid response teams to Moyo and Buliisa districts to “support investigations, active search for cases, community mobilisation and sensitization.”

    Uganda has requested yellow fever vaccines from the International Coordination Group that manages global stock piles of yellow fever and meningitis vaccines, Aceng said.

    “We anticipate that within the next two weeks, vaccines will be available and vaccination will commence in Moyo and Buliisa districts,” she said.

    Aceng said her ministry has applied with the Global Vaccine Alliance and the WHO for inclusion of the yellow fever vaccination into its routine immunization schedule.

    Read:No yellow fever, polio vaccination, no entry Saudi Arabia

    “Having faced four outbreaks, Uganda now qualifies to introduce yellow fever vaccine as a long-term measure to prevent yellow fever outbreaks,” she said. The minister said all travellers in and out of the country must be vaccinated against yellow fever.

    “Travelers are urged to comply with this travel requirement to ensure the risk of spread of yellow fever through international travel is minimized,” Aceng said.

    “The ministry would also like to re-assure Ugandans and all other residents that with the experience and expertise available in the country, the disease will be contained,” she said.

    The yellow fever is mostly caused by a type of mosquitoes called “Aedes Aepyti” found in the tropics and sub-tropics. It is transmitted from person to person through mosquitoes, although there are also forest monkeys that transmit it.

    Read:How black people were eliminated in Argentina throughout history

    According to the ministry, symptoms of the disease include high fever, headache, general body aches, fatigue, vomiting, blood in urine or stool and yellow discoloration of skin or eyes.

    If not detected and treated on time, the disease will affect the blood and the victims will experience renal failure and possible coma.

    Source: Theeastafrican.co.ke