Yellow fever burden to shift to central and east Africa by 2050: Study

News: According to a study by the World Health Organization(WHO), the burden of yellow fever is projected to shift to Central and East Africa from West Africa by 2050.

Facts:

  • Yellow Fever: It is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes.The yellow in the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients.
  • Symptoms: Fever, headache, jaundice, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.
    • A small proportion of patients who contract the virus develop severe symptoms and approximately half of those die within 7 to 10 days.
  • Endemic: The virus is endemic in tropical areas of Africa and Central and South America.
  • Prevention: Yellow fever is prevented by an extremely effective vaccine which is safe and affordable.
  • Eliminate yellow fever epidemics(EYE) 2017-2026: It has been developed by a coalition of partners (Gavi, UNICEF and WHO) that aims at ending yellow fever epidemics by 2026.