Ways to protect yourself from yellow fever

– Reasons you should go for vaccination against the disease

Since September 2017, there have been confirmed cases of yellow fever in 14 states of the country, and virtually all states have recorded suspected cases of the disease.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), yellow fever is caused by a virus spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes and some patients can develop serious symptoms, including high fever and jaundice, which is yellowing of the skin and eyes.

“Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected aedes mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, jaundice, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue,” said Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole.

“Some infected people may not experience any of these symptoms. In severe cases, bleeding may occur from the mouth, nose, eyes or stomach,” he added.

Recently, two people were feared to have died when the disease hit communities in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State. The disease, which could not be confirmed initially, affected Igieduma, Ehor and other neighbouring villages in the area.

A source in the village who craved anonymity said the symptoms exhibited by the victims of the ailment include high fever, stomach pain, vomiting, nose bleeding, yellow eyes among others.

Following investigations and deployment of experts to the area, the Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, said the result of the initial tests showed symptoms of yellow fever.

“We are doing contact tracing and sensitising people in the communities to clean up their environment. We have identified yellowness of the eyes and related symptoms, which led us to the conclusion that the illness is yellow fever.

“We are on top of the situation and will curb the spread of the disease as directed by the state governor,” he said.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), said as at 11th November, there were about 140 laboratory confirmed cases of yellow fever in the country.

The agency said nine cases tested positive for yellow fever as at 21st November following investigation on the reported outbreak of fever of unknown origin in four local governments of Edo State, and that confirmatory results were being awaited from the WHO Regional Reference Laboratory.

A multi-agency yellow fever Emergency Operations Centre has been established at NCDC to coordinate the response,” it said.

Vaccination and other ways of protection

The Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said yellow fever is a completely vaccine preventable disease and a single shot provides immunity for a lifetime. “The yellow fever vaccine is freely available in all primary health care centres in Nigeria,” he added.

Also, Minister of Health Prof Isaac Adewole said the most important measure to take in preventing yellow fever is vaccination against the disease, adding that “a single dose of yellow fever vaccine, which is included in Nigeria’s routine immunisation schedule given at nine-months, is free and sufficient to confer sustained protection of up to 10 years.”

“Other methods of prevention include using insect repellent, sleeping under a long-lasting insecticide treated net, ensuring proper sanitation and getting rid of stagnant water or breeding space for mosquitoes,” Adewole said.

It is important for Nigerians to get themselves vaccinated in order to protect themselves from the disease. In addition to the vaccine, the public are advised to keep their environments clean and free of stagnant water to discourage the breeding of mosquitoes and use insecticide treated mosquito nets, screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquito bites, the NCDC boss advised.

FG, WHO 26.2m yellow fever vaccination campaign in six states

Aside accessing yellow fever vaccination in Primary Health Care centres, across the country, the Federal Government with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and UNICEF commenced a vaccination campaign on Thursday to vaccinate 26.2 million people during the second phase of its biggest-ever yellow fever campaign.

The campaign seeks to establish high population immunity nationwide. It runs from Nov 22 to December 1 and targets children and adults in Plateau, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger and Borno states as well as the Federal Capital Territory, said a statement from WHO Nigeria office.

“The vaccination will be for people within 9 months to 44 years cohort. Parents are advised to avail themselves and their children to partake in the vaccination. The vaccine is free, safe and effective,” said Dr Joseph Oteri, Director of Special Duties at Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

“Immunizing more than 26 million people is a massive undertaking,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “But this achievement will represent a huge step towards protecting people from the potentially deadly viral haemorrhagic disease not only in Nigeria but in the African region.”

Nigeria is also one of 50 partners pursuing the Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) strategy.  Steered by WHO, Gavi and UNICEF, the strategy seeks to protect at-risk populations, prevent international spread and contain outbreaks rapidly.

As part of EYE, Nigeria has developed a 10-year strategic elimination plan to reduce the incidence of yellow fever epidemics and to vaccinate at least 80% of the target population in all states by 2026.

Experts have advised the public to get vaccinated as the yellow fever vaccine provides life-long protection against the disease.