As the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, confirms outbreak of Yellow fever in Ebonyi state, Nigerians have been advised to prevent mosquito bites as well as get vaccinated against the disease.
As at last count, no fewer than 20 deaths have been recorded in Izzi LGA, Ebonyi State, according to the NCDC, indicating that the outbreak may have been going on for a few months undetected by local health authorities.
Yellow fever is a serious disease caused by the yellow fever virus. It is spread through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito species. Although, there is no human-to-human transmission of the virus, however, the disease is completely vaccine-preventable with a single shot providing immunity for a lifetime. Sadly, many people are not vaccinated against the killer disease.
According to the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, there is need for Nigerians to keep their environments clean and free of stagnant water to discourage the breeding of mosquitoes.
He further counselled that the public should also make use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquito bites.
Continuing, he advised Nigerians to also get vaccinated at the Primary Healthcare Centres, PHCs, for free.