Yellow fever epidemic: New global health emergency?

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160509115129.htm

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[h=1]Yellow fever epidemic: New global health emergency?[/h] Date: May 9, 2016 Source: Georgetown University Medical Center Summary: Evidence is mounting that the current outbreak of yellow fever is becoming the latest global health emergency, say two experts who call on the World Health Organization to convene an emergency committee under the International Health Regulations. In addition, with frequent emerging epidemics, they call for the creation of a 'standing emergency committee' to be prepared for future health emergencies....

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2522030

Viewpoint | May 09, 2016
A Yellow Fever EpidemicA New Global Health Emergency? FREE ONLINE FIRST
Daniel Lucey, MD, MPH1; Lawrence O. Gostin, JD1

JAMA. Published online May 09, 2016. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.6606

The worst yellow fever epidemic in Angola since 1986 is rapidly spreading, including the capital, Luanda. In Angola, the epidemic began in December 2015 and the laboratory-confirmed outbreak was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 21, 2016.1 Angola has had 2023 suspected cases and 258 deaths as of April 26, 2016.1 China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Kenya also have reported cases arising from infected travelers from Angola. Namibia and Zambia also share a long border with Angola, with considerable population movement between the countries. Similar to other recent epidemics, quick and effective action to stop the spread of yellow fever is the responsibility of the world?s health community.

More than 7 million Angolans have been vaccinated, but supply shortages could potentially lead to a health security crisis if yellow fever spreads within Africa, Asia (which has never experienced a yellow fever epidemic), or the Americas (where Aedes mosquito vectors transmit yellow fever as well as Zika, dengue, and chikungunya). The Pan American Health Organization declared an epidemiological alert on April 22, 2016, for yellow fever in Latin America.2 The WHO should urgently convene an emergency committee to mobilize funds, coordinate an international response, and spearhead a surge in vaccine production. Prior delays by the WHO in convening emergency committees for the Ebola virus, and possibly the ongoing Zika epidemic, cost lives and should not be repeated.3 Acting proactively to address the evolving yellow fever epidemic is imperative...