Guinea reports two yellow fever cases in Labé region

Health officials in Guinea report a yellow fever outbreak, involving two females: a 15-year-old and a 24-year-old, one of whom is pregnant. Both cases are from the Labé region—Balaya and Korbé, respectively—with symptoms starting on September 19 and September 16, 2024.

It is not clear if the two cases are epidemiologically linked.

Blood samples were collected and tested at the reference laboratory in Conakry on October 5, 2024. The cases either tested positive for PCR or IgM, and both were confirmed as yellow fever cases on October 8, 2024. Samples were sent to the Institute Pasteur in Dakar for further confirmation on the October 10, 2024.

In Africa through October 26, a total of 703 cases (36 confirmed, 5 probable, 662 suspected) and six fatalities from seven African Union Member States.

Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever that is spread through the bites of infected 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.

Diagnosis is based on symptoms and laboratory testing.

There are no medications to treat or cure yellow fever. Yellow fever vaccine is the best protection against this disease.