Considerable progress made to contain yellow fever outbreaks: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday said considerable progress have been made to contain the yellow fever outbreaks in Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following a meeting of WHO Emergency Committee held in Geneva.

The Committee noted the concerted efforts and progress made by affected countries and partners to contain the yellow fever outbreaks in Angola and the DRC.

No confirmed cases have been reported in Angola since June 23 and in the DRC since July 12.

Despite there being no confirmation of cases in the Republic of Congo to date, there was concern that intense population movements between the DRC and Congo pose a risk of expansion of the outbreak.

The Committee was reassured to hear that the outbreak in Uganda is now over, and the imported cases in China and Kenya have not led to further transmission.

The Committee noted that the exceptional use of the fractional dose strategy for yellow fever vaccination during the recent campaign in Kinshasa, DRC, achieved very high population coverage.

After discussion and consideration of the information provided, it was the view of the Committee that the current status of the yellow fever outbreaks in Angola and the DRC does not constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

However, the Committee concluded that the outbreak remains a serious public health event which warrants continued national action and international support.

Furthermore, the imminent onset of the rainy season will intensify vector activity, thus raising subregional risks of yellow fever transmission. Endit