The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed that it is supporting the governments of Delta and Enugu states in their response to suspected outbreak of yellow fever. In a statement, NCDC said this is following reports of a sudden spike in cases and deaths in some communities in both states.
In a statement, the center said on the 2nd and 3rd of November 2020, it was notified by the state ministries of health of Delta and Enugu states respectively, of cases presenting with symptoms indicative of a viral haemorrhagic fever. Most cases presented with fever, headache, fatigue, jaundice vomiting (with or without blood) among others.
As at the 6th of November 2020, three samples from Delta and one sample from Enugu tested positive for yellow fever. NCDC said more samples are being tested from both states to confirm the causative organism of this outbreak.
The State Epidemiology Teams are leading the response with support from NCDC, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
“An incident management system has been activated by NCDC to coordinate response activities and Rapid Response Teams (RRT) have been deployed to both states. The NCDC and State RRTs are carrying out active case search, risk communications and community engagement as well as ensuring prompt management of cases. Our sister agency, NPHCDA is working with the affected states to plan for a vaccination campaign,” NCDC stated.
Yellow fever is a vaccine-preventable disease, and a single shot provides immunity for a lifetime. Symptoms of the disease include yellowness of the eyes, sudden fever, headache and body pain. The yellow fever vaccine is available for free in primary health care centres in Nigeria as part of the national childhood routine immunisation schedule. The yellow fever virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.