By Blessing Chinagorom
Since the beginning of 2023, and as of 25 February 2024, a total of 13 countries in the World Health Organization African Region have documented probable and confirmed cases of yellow fever (YF).
According to the WHO’s statement on Thursday revealed these countries which includes Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, Togo and Uganda.
WHO disclosed that in the case of Nigeria, one YF PRNT-positive case was reported in January 2024 in Lagos state in a 49-year-old male residing in a rural area, added that investigations are ongoing.
While in Cameroon, three YF cases were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, occurring in the weeks ending on 22 October and 13 November 2023.
It further disclosed that Cameroon recorded probable, confirmed YF cases consistently throughout 2023, starting from the week ending 29 January 2023, and that of Niger case was reported in Tahoua, Department of Tahoua during the first week of January 2024.
WHO stated that the preliminary data for 2023 indicate a case fatality rate (CFR) of 11%. While the overall risk at the regional level was re-assessed as moderate and the global risk remains low, active surveillance is required due to the potential for onward transmission through travel and the presence of the competent vector in neighboring regions.
It noted that the urban proliferation of Aedes spp. mosquitoes, which bite during the day, can also significantly amplify transmission risks, particularly in densely populated areas, leading to swift outbreaks.
The WHO-led global Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) secretariat coordinated preventive and reactive efforts and notably during 2023, substantially enhanced vaccination coverage.
Approximately 62 million people have been vaccinated in Africa through preventive and reactive mass vaccination campaigns. Additionally, under catch-up campaigns in Sudan, approximately 4 million individuals received vaccination against YF.
Speaking further about the countries with confirmed cases is Guinea with three YF PCR-positive cases at the Institute Pasteur Dakar (IPD), adding that these cases were reported on 17 October and 23 December 2023.
In a 6-year-old female from Faranah region, a 7-year-old male from the Koundara health district (sample collected on 6 December), and a 60-year-old female from Guiéckédou district (sample collected on 15 December), representing three out of the seven country’s regions.
In South Sudan, the confirmed YF case was reported on 24 December 2023, following the investigation of suspected cases and deaths of viral hemorrhagic fever. The case, a 24-year-old male, presented with fever, vomiting blood, and jaundice.
Two additional cases were confirmed on 2 February 2024. As of 12 February 2024, South Sudan reported a total of 64 cases that fulfil the current outbreak case definition of YF, including 61 suspected cases.
And three confirmed cases from six out of 10 counties in Western Equatoria state: Yambio (33), Nzara (09), Tambura (12), Ibba (4), Ezo (5) and Maridi Counties (1). Among the 61 suspected cases, there were six suspected deaths currently under investigation.
