The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, a parastatal of the
Ministry of Health on Friday confirmed the death of seven persons, in an
outbreak of yellow fever in Bauchi State, with four victims on
treatment.
Among those who died were students of Waka College of Education in Biu Local Government Area, Borno State.
While three of the confirmed cases were said to be residents of
Alkaleri Local Government Area, the fourth victim was a tourist who was
visiting Kano State and Yankari Games Reserve in the same LGA in Bauchi
State.
The Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, who made the
confirmation in a statement in Abuja, said the agency was first notified
on August 29, when it received the report of a confirmed case of Yellow
Fever in Kano State from a laboratory in the Yellow Fever laboratory
network.
He said, “Subsequent investigations led by the Kano State
Epidemiology Team established that this confirmed case of yellow fever
was from a patient who visited the Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi, in
August 2019 with his father. Unfortunately, the father died with similar
symptoms before a sample could be collected and tested.
“Subsequently, on September 3 2019, the Borno State
Epidemiology Team reported deaths among students of Waka College of
Education in Biu LGA Borno State. These students visited the Yankari
Game Resort in August 2019.
“Of the 95 students that visited the resort, eight of them
developed symptoms and six had died as at the time of the report. The
others are in a stable condition. Samples from these cases are being
tested.
“Intensification of surveillance activities has led to the
identification of three more confirmed cases who are all resident in
Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi state.
“Altogether, we can confirm four cases of yellow fever in people that either live or have visited Bauchi in the last one month.
“Since it was notified, the NCDC has collaborated with the
State epidemiologists of the affected States and the World Health
Organization country office to investigate these events.
“We have also deployed a rapid response team to support Bauchi
State to carry out further in-depth investigations, including case
finding, risk communications, and support the management of cases.
“Samples of the other suspected cases from Bauchi and Borno
states are currently being transported to the NCDC National Reference
Laboratory in Abuja for further testing.
“Today (Friday), we activated our Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate the response to this outbreak.”
The NCDC said Yellow Fever virus is spread through bites of an
infected mosquito with no human-to-human transmission of the virus.
The organization said, “Yellow fever is a completely
vaccine-preventable disease and a single shot of the yellow fever
vaccine protects for a lifetime. The yellow fever vaccine is available
for free in all primary healthcare centres in Nigeria as part of the
routine childhood immunisation schedule. We encourage every family to
ensure that children receive all their childhood vaccines.
“In addition to the vaccine, the public is advised to keep
their environments clean and free of stagnant water to discourage the
breeding of mosquitoes and ensure the consistent use of insecticide
treated mosquito nets, screens on windows and doors to prevent access
for mosquitoes.
“Especially, hikers, park visitors and people engaged with
activities in the wild are encouraged to be vaccinated against yellow
fever. It is important to avoid self-medication- visit a health facility
immediately if you feel ill.
“A multi-agency Yellow Fever technical working group
coordinated by NCDC, has been leading the preparedness and response to
yellow fever in Nigeria.
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency is leading
efforts to provide an additional opportunity of vaccination through
preventive vaccination campaigns across the country.
“Healthcare workers and members of the public are reminded that
the symptoms of yellow fever include yellowness of the eyes, sudden
fever, headache and body pain.
“If you have these symptoms or notice someone in your community
displaying them, please contact your nearest primary healthcare
centre.”