Yellow Fever in Angola (Update)
23 Aug 2016
As of t 11 August the World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported no new confirmed cases of Yellow Fever (YF) in Angola. There has been a total of 3922 suspected cases, of which 879 have been laboratory confirmed. A total of 119 deaths have been recorded from the confirmed cases.
Angola has 18 provinces, 16 of which have reported at least one confirmed YF case, with local transmission. Mass reactive vaccination campaigns in Angola have been implemented in all areas with confirmed local transmission.
Additionally, on the 15 August 2016 a preventive vaccination campaign targeting approximately 3 million people in the first phase and an additional 2 million people in the second phase began.
The initial phase of the campaign aims to immunise at-risk populations, including districts close to Angola’s border with the Democratic Republic of The Congo (DRC), Namibia and the Congo.
Advice for Travellers
Yellow fever infection can easily be prevented by vaccination. Vaccination is advised for all travellers to Angola (unless contraindicated) and proof of vaccination is required for all travellers over 9 months of age entering Angola. The vaccine should be administered at least 10 days before travelling and Angola considers the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) to be valid for life.
It is essential that travellers also take steps to avoid mosquito bites.