YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION COMMENCES IN 2 ENUGU COMMUNITIES

Reporter: CHUKWUMA EZEOGU

The Enugu State Government says it has commenced mass vaccination for Yellow Fever in Ette and Umuopu Communities in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of the state.

This followed confirmation of the outbreak of the disease in the areas.

A statement by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ikechukwu Obi, indicates that the state government has begun Active Case Surveillance to obtain necessary information on the epidemic for further decision making.

The statement announces that fumigation has commended in the affected communities against the mosquito vector with the appropriate chemicals and the activation of the State Ministry of Health Emergency Operations Centre for Yellow Fever.

According to the statement, the state government has prepositioned General Hospital Ogrute, Enugu-Ezike and has commenced treatment with Ambulance Service for emergency.

The statement also mentions the constitution of the Enugu State Multi-Sectorial Technical Working Group for the Yellow Fever Epidemic.

It further states that the State Government has embarked on risk communication in the affected communities, and formally notified “the Federal Ministry of Health; the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC; National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA; and the National Arbovirus and Vectors Research Centre for a sustained response since Yellow Fever has also been reported in other states in Nigeria.

The statement advises persons recently vaccinated against Yellow Fever, not to vaccinate again, explaining that Yellow Fever is transmitted through mosquito bites, and expeling its breeding sites should be made paramount.