MyPR: Namibia orders 450 000 doses of yellow fever vaccine as Angolan epidemic reaches border provinces and vaccine supplies dwindle:
Photo: Namibia Tourism Board
“Despite a decreasing trend in the last weeks, the outbreak in Angola remains of high concern to us. The vaccination coverage is still far from reaching 100 per cent and we have persistent local transmission in the capital, report of infections in new districts and the spread of the outbreak to neighbouring countries. It is a race against time,” said Secretary General of Angola Red Cross, Mr Valter Quifica.
In a report published on 26 July 2016, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies noted that while numbers of yellow fever cases confirmed in Angola were beginning to decline, the expected September rains could hamper efforts to containing the disease.
According to a June update from the World Health Organisation as of 10 June, had been reported in all the 18 provinces of Angola. Vaccination programmes have been ongoing, with mass vaccination campaigns now planned for Cuando Cubango, Cunene and Namibe provinces, bordering Namibia and Zambia.
“The evolution of the epidemiological situation in Angola is concerning and needs to be closely monitored,” continues the WHO report. “Based on experiences from previous similar events, it is expected that additional cases will be reported. The reports of yellow fever imported cases in China, DRC, and Kenya demonstrate the threat that this outbreak constitutes to the entire world… There is an urgent need to continue strengthening the quality of the response in Angola and to enhance preparedness in neighbouring countries.”
In a 16 July update to their travel notice, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) put the number of Angolan yellow fever confirmed or suspected cases at “at least 3 552 … including 355 deaths”. The CDC confirmed that all travelers to the country older than nine months are required by the Angolan government to be vaccinated. The CDC advises visitors to Angola to make arrangements with a yellow fever vaccine provider “well in advance of travel” due to a worldwide shortage of yellow fever vaccine.
Perhaps for this reason, as well as the fact that the disease has reached Angolan provinces on its border, Namibia has requested 450 000 doses of yellow fever vaccine “to use for travelers and refugees”, according to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.
The outbreak in urban areas of Angolan neighbour the DRC “underscores the threat of international spread, especially to Namibia and Zambia where borders are porous and populations aren’t usually vaccinated against yellow fever,” noted CIDRAP.
Yellow fever is a virus spread by mosquito bites. “Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, backache and muscle aches. About 15% of people who get yellow fever develop serious illness that can lead to bleeding, shock, organ failure, and sometimes death.” – CDC.
Travellers to Northern Namibia and Western Zambia would be sensible to also take precautions. No vaccine is required in these countries, but follow the advice given on the Etosha website regarding malaria (another mosquito-borne disease): the general consensus is that “some form of repellent is always wise”.
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: Western Cape – MyPR Ntombi1
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