Travel Alert: Yellow Fever

YELLOW FEVER in UGANDA, CAMEROON, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, CONGO DR, COTE D’IVOIRE, GAMBIA, SIERRA LEONE

The outbreak in Northern Uganda has confirmed 53 deaths since the disease was first detected in late 2010. In Cote d’Ivoire 35 deaths have been reported in the past month. Central African Republic [CAR] reported 4 suspected cases of yellow fever, including 3 deaths in 2010. In the Gambia 1 case has been reported. In Sierra Leone 2 cases have been reported this year in Southern Province; a response vaccination campaign has been started. In Africa, World Health Organization [WHO] estimates 508 million people in 32 countries are at risk. Yellow Fever is a mosquito born disease found in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Amazon region of South America. Early signs of yellow fever are muscle pain and backache, headache, fever, shivering, loss of appetite and vomiting. In the later stages, patients can develop yellow eyes, abdominal pain, bleeding from the mouth, nose, eyes and stomach. This disease can be prevented with vaccination.