Giuseppe
Emeritus
Yellow fever outbreak in Uganda (ECDC, 1/07/11, edited)
[Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), full page: (LINK). Edited.]
Yellow fever outbreak in Uganda
05 Jan 2011
Yellow fever outbreak in Uganda, epidemiological update ? 5 January 2011
An outbreak of yellow fever in northern Uganda was confirmed on 23 December after samples tested at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were positive for yellow fever virus. This is the first documented outbreak in the country since 1972. [1].
Since October 2010, cases of illness of unknown cause were reported from several districts in northern Uganda (Figure 1). These cases mainly concerned males aged 20 to 34 years mostly presenting with severe frontal headache, fever, lethargy, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting, as well as with hemorrhagic signs.
By the end of December 2010, more districts were affected, with a total of 190 cases reported and 48 deaths (case-fatality rate 25%) [2]. Response efforts to contain the outbreak are coordinated by the Ugandan Ministry of Health, and investigations in the affected districts continue. A mass vaccination is being planned, targeting 2.5 million residents in the northern districts.
Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease found in tropical regions of Africa and the Americas. It principally affects humans and monkeys and is transmitted by infected daytime mosquitoes. The case-fatality rate is between 15?50%. Treatment of yellow fever infection is symptomatic, aiming at reducing symptoms for the comfort of the patient. Mass vaccination is the single most important preventive measure. There is a live attenuated vaccine available which is effective, safe and provides protection for at least 10 years. More information on yellow fever is available on the ECDC website [3].
European citizens travelling to Uganda should consult their national health authorities? recommendations regarding yellow fever vaccination, which should be administered at least 10 days before travelling.
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References
[1] International Federation?s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) operation. Uganda: yellow fever epidemic.
[2] Uganda Media Centre press release on yellow fever outbreak.
[3] ECDC yellow fever fact sheet for health professionals.<cite cite="http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/activities/sciadvice/Lists/ECDC%20Reviews/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?List=512ff74f%2D77d4%2D4ad8%2Db6d6%2Dbf0f23083f30&ID=994&RootFolder=%2Fen%2Factivities%2Fsciadvice%2FLists%2FECDC%20Reviews">
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[Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), full page: (LINK). Edited.]
Yellow fever outbreak in Uganda
05 Jan 2011
Yellow fever outbreak in Uganda, epidemiological update ? 5 January 2011
An outbreak of yellow fever in northern Uganda was confirmed on 23 December after samples tested at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were positive for yellow fever virus. This is the first documented outbreak in the country since 1972. [1].
Since October 2010, cases of illness of unknown cause were reported from several districts in northern Uganda (Figure 1). These cases mainly concerned males aged 20 to 34 years mostly presenting with severe frontal headache, fever, lethargy, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting, as well as with hemorrhagic signs.
By the end of December 2010, more districts were affected, with a total of 190 cases reported and 48 deaths (case-fatality rate 25%) [2]. Response efforts to contain the outbreak are coordinated by the Ugandan Ministry of Health, and investigations in the affected districts continue. A mass vaccination is being planned, targeting 2.5 million residents in the northern districts.
Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease found in tropical regions of Africa and the Americas. It principally affects humans and monkeys and is transmitted by infected daytime mosquitoes. The case-fatality rate is between 15?50%. Treatment of yellow fever infection is symptomatic, aiming at reducing symptoms for the comfort of the patient. Mass vaccination is the single most important preventive measure. There is a live attenuated vaccine available which is effective, safe and provides protection for at least 10 years. More information on yellow fever is available on the ECDC website [3].
European citizens travelling to Uganda should consult their national health authorities? recommendations regarding yellow fever vaccination, which should be administered at least 10 days before travelling.
(...)
References
[1] International Federation?s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) operation. Uganda: yellow fever epidemic.
[2] Uganda Media Centre press release on yellow fever outbreak.
[3] ECDC yellow fever fact sheet for health professionals.<cite cite="http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/activities/sciadvice/Lists/ECDC%20Reviews/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?List=512ff74f%2D77d4%2D4ad8%2Db6d6%2Dbf0f23083f30&ID=994&RootFolder=%2Fen%2Factivities%2Fsciadvice%2FLists%2FECDC%20Reviews">
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