Côte d'Ivoire: Yellow fever outbreak ongoing as of early August

Event

A yellow fever outbreak is ongoing throughout Côte d'Ivoire as of early August. According to the country’s Ministry of Health, a total of 89 cases have been confirmed along with one associated fatality. The majority of the cases have been recorded in Abidjan. Health officials are recommending that all unvaccinated individuals arrange to receive a vaccine. Mosquito control measures are also being implemented in Abidjan.

Context

Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne disease endemic to large parts of sub-Saharan Africa and South America. Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle and back pain, vomiting, headaches, and, in more serious cases, hemorrhaging and organ failure. A vaccine provides lifelong immunity and should be administered at least ten days prior to travel to be fully effective.

Advice

Individuals in Côte d'Ivoire, particularly in Abidjan, are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites - by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping under mosquito netting or in an air-conditioned room - and to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds (e.g. small pockets of fresh water, such as rainwater that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc.).