Epidemiological report by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has shown that no fewer than 14 deaths were recorded from suspected cases of yellow fever in 10 states from January to July this year.
The affected states include Abia (1), Bayelsa (1), Benue (1), Imo (1), Kaduna (1), Katsina (2), Kebbi (1), Taraba (2), Yobe (1) and Zamfara (3).
In a recent NCDC report on yellow fever obtained by our correspondent, the agency revealed that cumulatively a total of 1,179 suspected cases of yellow fever were reported from 416 local government areas between January 1 and July 31.
The report further revealed that one case each was confirmed from five states, namely Sokoto (Dange-Shuni LGA), Osun (Atakunmosa East LGA), Ondo (Akure South LGA), Anambra (Idemili South LGA) and Imo (Nwangele LGA).
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes.
The “yellow” in the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients.
While the symptoms of yellow fever include fever, headache, jaundice, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue, a small proportion of patients who contract the virus develop severe symptoms and approximately half of those die within seven to 10 days.
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However, the global health body noted that yellow fever is preventable with an extremely effective vaccine that is safe and affordable.
“A single dose of yellow fever vaccine is sufficient to grant sustained immunity and life-long protection against yellow fever disease. A booster dose of the vaccine is not needed,” it said.
As part of efforts to support Nigeria in preventive mass vaccination campaigns (PMVCs), through its Eliminate Yellow fever Epidemics (EYE) Strategy, WHO said it would be reaching out to states like Ogun, Gombe, Kano, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Borno and Enugu before the end of this year.
It added: “Further yellow fever vaccination campaigns are planned in Nigeria in the states of Ogun and Gombe in June 2022.
“These campaigns targeted 8.8 million people for protection. Additional PMVCs will be implemented in the latter part of 2022 in the states of Kano, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Borno and Enugu.”
According to the NCDC, “male to female ratio for suspected cases was 1:1.7 with males 637 (54 per cent) and females 542 (46 per cent). Seventy-four (74) per cent of cases were aged 30 years and below.
“One hundred and twenty-six (10.7 per cent) of 1,179 suspected cases had at least one dose of the yellow fever vaccine.
“The NCDC is coordinating response activities through the National Multi-agency Yellow Fever Technical Working Group (YF TWG).”