Yellow Fever Death Toll on the Rise in Uganda

BALTIMORE—1/4/2011—The death toll for yellow fever in Uganda has risen to 48 people.   According to Dr. Nathan Mugisha, director general of health services, the number of infected individuals has escalated to over 190.
Mass vaccination for the northern parts of Uganda is planned for the latter part of January 2011. The vaccine is being procured from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers of Disease Control (CDC).

Affected areas are Abim, Agago, Lamwo, Pader, Kitgum, Gulu, Arua, Kaabong, Kotido and Lira. Meanwhile, Uganda’s health ministry has created a public awareness campaign that urges the public to avoid getting bit by mosquitoes by destroying stagnant water where mosquitoes breed and also sleeping under treated mosquito nets.

Yellow Fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease. Yellow fever disease may be mild to severe. Mild symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, abdominal and muscle pains. More severe symptoms include hepatitis and hemorrhagic fever. Yellow fever is a rare illness among travelers, but vaccination against yellow fever is important because the disease has a high mortality rate.

Call Passport Health if you are traveling to a yellow fever endemic area.  There are international yellow fever vaccination requirements and you will not be able to enter some countries prior to receiving the yellow fever vaccine.  In addition to yellow fever vaccination, travelers should take precautions against exposure to mosquitoes with appropriate repellents available at Passport Health.

Call 1-888-499-PASS (7277) today to make an appointment or visit Passport Health on the web to find the closest location.