Darfur yellow fever death toll at 165

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In a follow-up update to the yellow fever outbreak in Sudan, numbers compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO) show that the number of cases and fatalities due to the mosquito borne virus continue to rise,according to a Global Alert and Response Dec. 6.As of 4 December, a total of 732 suspected cases of yellow fever, including 165 deaths have been reported in 33 out of 64 localities in Darfur the UN agency reports.The National Public Health Laboratory in Khartoum in conjunction with NAMRU-3 has confirmed the yellow fever virus in 40 samples using IgM ELISA and PCR methodologies.The mass vaccination program for the Darfur region began in late November, immunizing some 2.2 million residents. The second phase of the vaccination program is to begin this month with more than one million people expected to be vaccinated.According to a WHO yellow fever fact sheet, there are an estimated 200,000 cases of yellow fever, causing 30,000 deaths annually, primarily in tropical areas of Africa and Latin America where the virus is endemic.Up to 50% of severely affected persons without treatment will die from yellow fever.There is no cure for yellow fever. Treatment is symptomatic, aimed at reducing the symptoms for the comfort of the patient.Vaccination is the most important preventive measure against yellow fever. The vaccine is safe, affordable and highly effective, and appears to provide protection for 30–35 years or more. The vaccine provides effective immunity within one week for 95% of persons vaccinated.For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page