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Yellow fever in Nigeria (Update 2)

07 Dec 2017

On 1 December 2017 the World Health OrganizationLink reported that, as of 21 November, 30 confirmed cases and 276 suspected cases of yellow fever had been reported, associated with an outbreak that began in August 2017. The suspected cases are across 14 states.

WHO announced that they had released 1.4 million doses of yellow fever vaccine to help control the outbreak; an immunisation campaign using these doses began on 2 December 2017.

Advice for Travellers

There is a risk of yellow fever in Nigeria. Yellow fever is spread by the bite of an infected, day-biting Aedes mosquito. Insect bites should be avoided. The disease is mainly found in rural areas of affected countries but outbreaks in urban areas do occur. Vaccination is usually recommended.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

For further information see Yellow Fever.