The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning urging the implementation of preventive measures to avert a potential yellow fever outbreak during the rainy season.
The organization emphasized the resemblance in risk levels between yellow fever and cholera amidst the rainy season, highlighting the rapid spread potential of the disease.
The Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, conveyed this message during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, emphasizing the significant health threat posed by yellow fever, a viral illness transmitted through mosquito bites.
Dr. Idris explained that the recent surge in yellow fever cases can be largely attributed to increased mosquito activity, as these insects serve as primary carriers of the disease.
He emphasized that yellow fever is an epidemic-prone condition that can be prevented through vaccination, caused by a virus transmitted mainly by Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes.
Additionally, he mentioned that the incubation period for yellow fever typically ranges from three to six days, underscoring the need for vigilance and prompt preventive actions during this susceptible period.
Idris explained, “Many people don’t experience symptoms, but when they occur, the most common are fever, muscle pain with prominent back pain, headache, loss of appetite, and nausea or vomiting.
“In most cases, symptoms disappear after three to four days.”
The NCDC boss highlighted that a small percentage of cases progressed to a toxic phase, with systemic infection affecting the liver and kidneys.
He noted, “These individuals can have more severe symptoms like high-grade fever, abdominal pain with vomiting, jaundice, and dark urine, caused by acute liver and kidney failure.
“Bleeding can occur from the mouth, nose, eyes, or stomach. Death can occur within seven to 10 days in about half of cases with severe symptoms.”
Idris also stated that yellow fever is preventable through a vaccine, which is safe and affordable,noting, “A single dose of yellow fever vaccine is sufficient to grant sustained immunity and life-long protection.
“A booster dose of the vaccine is not needed. The vaccine provides effective immunity within 10 days for 80-100 per cent of people vaccinated, and within 30 days for more than 99 per cent of people vaccinated.”
The NCDC director emphasized that effective mosquito control can significantly lower the risk of yellow fever transmission.
He highlighted that stagnant water attracts mosquitoes and encouraged individuals to regularly clean their environments to prevent mosquito breeding and reduce the risk of infection.
“Water containers are essential for many households, but they can also be breeding sites for mosquitoes if left uncovered. Always keep them sealed.
“When outdoors, especially during peak mosquito activity times (dusk and dawn), wear long sleeves and pants to reduce the risk of mosquito bites,” the NCDC boss advised.
By taking preventive steps, communities can safeguard themselves against yellow fever during the rainy season, he emphasized.
Additionally, Idris revealed that the NCDC has been tracking yellow fever cases in Nigeria, with a total of 600 suspected cases reported across 36 states, the FCT, and 272 local government areas in 2023, highlighting the need for continued vigilance.
He noted, “Cases were reported from Abia (8), Adamawa (7), Anambra (13), Bauchi (70), Bayelsa (2), Benue (10), Borno (30), Cross River (3), Delta (12), Ebonyi (4), Edo (3), Ekiti (10), Enugu (30), FCT (2), Gombe (7), Imo (8), Jigawa (53), Kaduna (11), Kano (6), and Katsina (88).
“Others were Kebbi (27), Kogi (6), Kwara (7), Lagos (4), Nasarawa (13), Niger (18), Ogun (13), Ondo (22), Osun (2), Oyo (9), Plateau (33), Rivers (6), Taraba (19), Yobe (8) and Zamfara (26).”
Idris mentioned four presumptive positive cases were reported at the National Reference Laboratory, Abuja and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
“These cases were reported from Katagum in Bauchi State (2) and Udenu in Enugu State (2),” he stated.
According to the November 2023 report, none of the suspected yellow fever cases resulted in fatalities, he noted.
