WHO supports yellow fever immunization for 874,000 people in Nigeria

18 Octobre 2017

Abuja, Nigeria, October 18 (Infosplusgabon) - The Nigerian goverment has launched a 10-day campaign launched to immunize nearly 874,000 people against yellow fever in the states of Kwara and Kogi, according to the United Nations health agency.

Under the campaign launched last week, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with Nigerian health authorities, is working to implement the initiative in nine local government areas in Kwara state and two in Kogi state.

“This campaign aims to ensure that people living in high-risk areas are protected from yellow fever, and to prevent the disease from spreading to other parts of the country,” said Dr. Wondimangegnehu Alemu, WHO Nigeria Representative, a UN statement said on Tuesday.

The campaign is mobilizing more than 200 health workers and volunteers, targeting residents aged nine months to 45 years old.

The last outbreak of yellow fever in Nigeria was reported in 2002, with 20 cases and 11 deaths.

Nigeria has requested support from the International Coordination Group (ICG) on vaccine provision for yellow fever. With the support of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the global stockpile of yellow fever vaccines sums to 6 million doses.

WHO said it has been supporting the Nigerian Government’s response to the outbreak since the first case was confirmed on 12 September.

It said it has since deployed experts to the country to support surveillance, investigation, lab testing, public-health measures and engagement with at-risk communities.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/ITF/GABON 2017

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