IFRC calls for scale-up in response to yellow fever outbreak in Angola

Limited vaccine supplies, poor sanitation, inadequate disease surveillance systems and everyday cross-border interaction could turn the yellow fever outbreak in Angola and beyond into a larger crisis, if immediate community-based action is not taken, an international body warned Wednesday.

Concerned by the ongoing spread of the disease in the region, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said in a statement that it is calling for an immediate scale-up in response.

"We are extremely concerned about the further spread of this outbreak, particularly to countries bordering Angola, such as Namibia and Zambia," said Adinoyi Adeiza, IFRC's health coordinator for Africa, adding that "Non-immunized people traveling across these countries could pose a significant risk."

The outbreak was first detected in Angola in late December 2015. According to the World Health Organization, close to 2,900 suspected cases have since been reported in all 18 provinces, with 325 deaths.

"Vaccinations are the first and best line of defence, however, given the limited supply of yellow fever vaccine globally, we need to prioritize community engagement as a vital tool to prevent the further spread of the disease," said Nafo-Traore, director of IFRC's Africa regional office, was cited as saying. Endit