2024-03-22 19:17:00
Since the beginning of 2023, and as of 25 February 2024, a total of 13 countries in the WHO African Region have documented probable and confirmed cases of yellow fever (YF), namely Burkina Fasothe Cameroonthe Central African Republicthe Chadthe Republic of Congothe Ivory Coastthe Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Guineathe Nigerthe Nigeriathe South Sudanthe Togo and theUganda.
Preliminary data for 2023 indicates a case fatality rate of 11% and a sex ratio of 1.7 (M:F). The median age of cases is 25 years, with two thirds (69%) of cases aged over 15 years. Surveillance capacity is suboptimal in many affected countries, with data fragmentation, limited integration with routine surveillance and clinical systems, and a lack of standardized case definitions contributing to underreporting and increasing mortality rates.
During the last quarter of 2023 and as of February 25, 2024, eight countries in total (Cameroon, Chad, Congo, DRC, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria and South Sudan) reported active transmission of YF with confirmed cases of YF. These countries have initiated response planning activities. Gabon, Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Togo are currently awaiting final classification of plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) positive samples from the yellow fever laboratory.
Cameroon : Three cases of yellow fever were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, during the weeks ending October 22 and November 13, 2023. The country recorded both probable and confirmed cases of yellow fever consistently throughout 2023, starting from the week ending January 29, 2023. (During 2023, Cameroon reported 32 confirmed cases across the country’s 10 regions, including 23 cases PRNT positive and nine RT-PCR positive cases. Among the six PRNT positive samples, four were rejected. Notably, six cases were classified as confirmed in the densely populated urban area of Douala during the year.)
Chad : A case of yellow fever positive by PCR with negative serology was reported on January 18, 2024 from a patient collected on October 10, 2023, in the Léré district of the region Mayo-Kebbi West.
Republic of Congo : Cases awaiting classification by national health authorities. No further information was available as of February 2024.
Democratic Republic of Congo : A PCR-positive case of YF with unknown vaccination status was reported on December 18, 2023. In addition, nine positive PRNT cases were recorded, including eight with unknown vaccination status and one with no information in medical records.
Guinea : Three cases of YF positive by PCR were confirmed at the Pasteur Institute in Dakar (IPD). These cases were reported on October 17 and December 23, 2023 in a 6-year-old girl from the Faranah regiona 7-year-old boy from the health district of Koundara (sample collected on December 6) and a 60-year-old woman from the district of Guiéckédou (sample taken on December 15), which represents three of the country’s seven regions. Notably, this event comes less than three years after cases were confirmed in the Koundara health district in 2020 and 2021.
Niger : Case reported in the city of TahouaTahoua department, during the first week of January 2024. No further information was available as of February 2024. Investigations are continuing.
Nigeria : A positive FJ PRNT case was reported in January 2024 in theLagos State in a 49-year-old man residing in a rural area. Investigations continue.
South Sudan : A confirmed case of YF was reported on December 24, 2023, following an investigation into suspected cases and deaths of viral hemorrhagic fever. The case, a 24-year-old man, presented with fever, vomiting blood and jaundice. Two more cases were confirmed on February 2, 2024. As of February 12, 2024, South Sudan reported a total of 64 cases meeting the current FJ case definition, including 61 suspected cases and three confirmed cases in six of the ten counties ofÉtat d’Equatoria occidental : Yambio (33), Nzara (09), Tambura (12), Ibba (4), Ezo (5) and Maridi (1). Among the 61 suspected cases, six suspicious deaths are currently under investigation.
Togo : During SE 5/2024, a 7-year-old girl presented to the health facility with fever and jaundice, with no other symptoms. The child had been vaccinated against yellow fever five years previously and had no travel history. Lab results revealed a positive rapid diagnostic test for malaria, and she was treated accordingly. Additionally, she presented a YF-PRNT result of 1/60. The child has fully recovered from the symptoms. This case is awaiting classification by the Ministry of Health.
Source: World Health Organization
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