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Yellow Fever in Sudan (Update)

14 Jan 2013

A report on the yellow fever outbreak in Darfur jointly released by the Sudanese federal Ministry of Health and by WHO asserted that 171 people have died of the disease in the region as of 9 Jan (2013). The report also indicated that 849 suspected cases of yellow fever have been reported in Darfur since 2 Sep 2012. The case fatality rate (CFR) of the disease is thought to be 20.1%.

Information suggests that 35 out of the 64 localities of Darfur have been affected by the disease. Central Darfur is reportedly still the most affected state with 51.5% of the registered cases. It is followed by North Darfur (21%), West Darfur (17.4%) and South Darfur (9.5%).

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.