By William Selmah wselmah@gmail.com
Health authorities in Liberia have confirmed a yellow fever outbreak in the southeast of the country. Liberia is bordered in the southeast by the Ivory Coast.
Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Francis Ketteh told a news conference Wednesday in Monrovia that the first and only confirmed case so far involves a three year old in the Barclayville Health District in Grand Kru County.
“The child has recovered and is discharged. Up to date, no deaths or other cases have been suspected,” Dr. Ketteh told reporters.
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease that is transmitted by mosquito. The signs and symptoms are fever, yellow eyes, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and fatigue.
As in the cases of Ebola, Lassa Fever and other deadly diseases, one confirmed case of yellow fever constitutes an outbreak.
Health authorities have drawn up strategies aimed at preventing the disease from further spreading and eradicating it as well, according to the Chief Medical Officer.
“Vaccines will be administered in all of the districts to inhabitants from age nine months and above, excluding the pregnant”, Ketteh said.
He disclosed further that vaccination campaigns will be carried out in two phases, with the first taking place October 15-20, 2018, and the second, October 29-November 4, 2018.
In the wake of the outbreak, he used the occasion to caution those residing in Grand Kru County to immediately visit nearest hospitals whenever they fall sick, and to always keep their surroundings clean.
Liberia has in place a yellow fever certificate as a travel requirement for both incoming and outgoing traveler; something that has been in place for years.
One reason for this could be predicated on the scientific fact that the key transmitter of the disease, mosquito, remains prevalent here.