01 Feb 2024 | 10:47 AM UTC
South Sudan: Yellow fever outbreak confirmed in Western Equatoria through January
Yellow fever outbreak confirmed in Western Equatoria, South Sudan, in January. Consider vaccination; avoid mosquito bites.
Health officials have reported a yellow fever outbreak in Western Equatoria State, with 30 total cases (1 confirmed, 29 suspected) reported Dec. 21, 2023-Jan. 29, 2024. The last outbreak reported in South Sudan occurred in 2022 when two cases were reported. Yambio (15 cases) is the most affected, followed by Tambura (7 cases), Nzara (5 cases), Ibba (2 cases), and Ezo (1 case). The South Sudan Ministry of Health has activated an emergency operations center to coordinate the outbreak response and a rapid response team is currently conducting outbreak investigations, active case search, and community-based surveillance. This report represents the most complete data available as of Feb. 1.
Consult a travel medicine provider about the need for yellow fever vaccination. Avoid mosquito bites and remove standing water to reduce the number of biting mosquitoes. Seek medical attention if symptoms develop within two weeks of being in affected areas. Do not use aspirin or ibuprofen products if yellow fever is suspected, as these could exacerbate bleeding tendencies associated with the disease.
There is a risk of yellow fever virus transmission in South Sudan. Health authorities reported two yellow fever cases nationwide in South Sudan in 2022, no cases in 2021, two cases in 2020, and three cases in 2018.
Yellow fever is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most infected individuals have no illness or only mild illness. Symptoms typically include fever, muscle pain, backaches, and chills. However, about a small percent of people develop serious illness that can potentially lead to jaundice, abdominal pain with vomiting, fatal bleeding, and organ failure. Symptoms typically appear 3-6 days after being bitten.
