Yellow Fever Campaign Intensifies as 526 Cases Reported

MONROVIA – The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW), in collaboration with international partners, has intensified its campaign against the spread of yellow fever across the country.

The program, which is being undertaken by the Liberian Government through the MOH&SW, is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The US$4.4 million program is being launched following the discovery of more cases across the country for nine consecutive years.

According to a document in possession of the Daily Observer, about 526 cases of yellow fever have been reported to various health institutions across the country since 2005.

The document also reveals that 11 counties across Liberia have been infected with the disease. Although the MOH document does not name all of the 11 counties affected, it does report that Maryland, Bong, Nimba, Montserrado, Grand Bassa and Lofa Counties are among the infected areas.

The document also reveals that of the total number of cases reported, 69 were confirmed positive based on 99 samples collected, while 18 deaths have so far reported.

Speaking at a yellow fever campaign event in West Point earlier this month, the head of the Child Pediatrics Section of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Mohammed Sankob, said owing to the danger caused by the fever, his ministry and its partners had put in place measures to prevent children and adults from contracting the disease.

The vaccination drive, which takes places in November 23 - 29, will target more than three million people across the country, Sankob said.

The Child Pediatrics Director said only children 9 months and older will be vaccinated at designated health and community vaccination posts, while children between ages one and five will also be given free medicine against worms.

The vaccine, Sankob said, will immunize individuals and children for the next 10 years against yellow fever. The MOH official said he believes that with the vaccination of individuals across the country, the fever, for which no cure yet exists, will be prevented for the next 10 years.

Health authorities have announced that pregnant women will not be vaccinated.

Yellow fever is transmitted through mosquito bites and can be fatal if not treated in time.

Also present at the campaign event were the WHO Director of Mobilization and Communications, Olivia Dennis; Jane Mayoba of UNICEF; and Liberian Culture Ambassador for Peace, Julie Endee, of the Crusaders for Peace.

The three officials called on Liberians across the country to turn out on vaccination day in order to make the campaign successful.