Yellow Fever in Sudan
01 Nov 2012
An outbreak of undiagnosed illness that began earlier this month in the Darfur region has been identified as yellow fever.
The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) reported the outbreak in the Darfur region of Sudan to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Since the first week of October 2012, a total of 84 suspected cases and 32 deaths have been registered in the districts of Azoom, Kass, Mershing, Nertiti, Nyala, Wadi Salih and Zalingei.
WHO is working with the FMoH to implement a mass vaccination campaign and disease prevention and control in the affected area.
This is a media report and official laboratory confirmation by WHO is awaited.
Advice for Travellers
There is a risk of yellow fever in areas south of the Sahara Desert and vaccination is advised for travellers to these parts (unless contraindicated). Darfur is a large region in the west of Sudan, most of which lies south of the Sahara Desert. Travellers should also take steps to avoid mosquito bites.