Africa: Yellow fever reported in 5 countries
South Sudan reports six deaths
Since the beginning of the year, a total of 243 yellow fever cases have been reported to date from five African Union countries, according to the Africa CDC.
13 confirmed cases have been recorded out of the 243 total.
The five countries reporting cases include the Central African Republic (CAR) with 11 cases and no deaths, Cameroon (8,0), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (83,0), Gabon (28,0) and South Sudan with 87 cases.
South Sudan also recorded six fatalities, all the deaths in the region for a CFR of 2.5%.
Last year 2,951 total cases and 45 deaths were reported from eight Member states.
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever transmitted by mosquitoes.
Symptoms of yellow fever (fever, chills, headache, backache, and muscle aches) develop 3-6 days after infection. About 15% of people infected with yellow fever virus will develop severe illness that can lead to liver disease, bleeding, shock, organ failure, yellowing skin (jaundice), and sometimes death.
There are no medications to treat or cure yellow fever. Yellow fever vaccine is the best protection against this disease.