Yellow Fever in Sudan (Update)
19 Nov 2012
The Federal Ministry of Health received an initial 800,000 doses of yellow fever vaccine on 16 November 2012, from the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine to begin the emergency response vaccination campaign in Darfur. The remaining doses will arrive on 18 November 2012.
The 10 day vaccination campaign will start on 24 November targeting 2.4 million population in 12 localities in South, North, Central and West Darfur.
The outbreak has now affected 26 localities in Central, South, West, North, and East Darfur. As of 17 November, the total number of cases has reached 459, including 116 deaths.
Advice for Travellers
There is a risk of yellow fever in areas south of the Sahara Desert and vaccination is advised for travellers to these parts (unless contraindicated). Darfur is a large region in the west of Sudan, most of which lies south of the Sahara Desert. Travellers should also take steps to avoid mosquito bites.