MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Yellow fever warning for travelers to Brazil
The viral disease is spread by infected mosquitoes and can cause an illness that leads to jaundice and bleeding A recent disease outbreak news from the World Health Organization highlights that in Brazil it is currently the seasonal period for yellow fever and that further transmission of the disease is expected in the coming months based on seasonal patterns.
The viral disease is spread by infected mosquitoes and can cause an illness that leads to jaundice and bleeding. In those who develop severe disease, the death rate is high. Infection can be prevented with the practice of meticulous mosquito bite avoidance and vaccination.
WHO said that from December 2018 to January 2019, 36 confirmed human cases, including eight deaths, were reported in 11 municipalities of two states of Brazil. It also said that as of 29 September 2018, preliminary results of the mass vaccination campaign against yellow fever indicate that 13.3 million people in São Paulo, 6.5 million in Rio de Janeiro, and 1.85 million in Bahía states were vaccinated, which represents vaccination coverage of 53.6 per cent, 55.6 per cent and 55.0 per cent, respectively.
WHO said that it is continuing to monitor the epidemiological situation and review the risk assessment based on the latest available information. It said that currently, based on available information, it assesses the overall risk as high at the national level, moderate at the regional level, and low at the global level.
Advice to travelers is to be aware of the signs and symptoms of yellow fever and for anyone experiencing symptoms to seek healthcare quickly. WHO advised that international travelers above nine months of age going to Brazil should be vaccinated.
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Read all commentsTechnology to exterminate mosquitos is not the problem. The problem is the Brazilian government's willingness and ability to organise it.
Feb 18th, 2019 - 09:50 pm 0U mean, Dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane = DDT?
Feb 19th, 2019 - 01:50 am 0DT
Feb 21st, 2019 - 05:37 pm 0“The problem is the Brazilian government's willingness and ability to organise it.”
Now where the hell did you get this information from ? Let me tell you what was/is REALLY happening : beginning 2017, yellow fever sprung up in a big way in Mairiporã (municipality next door to São Paulo) ;
State government announced a massive vaccination programme, to start immediately in Mairiporã, and in about 30 days (time to organize) in other parts of the State (where some 'suspected' but unconfirmed cases reported). The Mairiporã & adjacent area residents were vaccinated, but 1000s of people from all over the State descended on Mairiporã, to “anticipate” their vaccines....obviously they couldn't be attended, and besides, at that point there was no immediate need to vaccinate non-residents of Mairiporã. When turned away, they were duly informed when “their” towns would be attended...but still complained like hell, criticizing the govt for 'lack of ' organization.(???)... WTF ???
Few weeks later, as informed, 100s of towns were ready, with all their public medical centres open for vaccination....with enough vaccines to cover 95% of the population....my wife who hadn't been vaccinated, got hers without any hassle.
Now comes the strange part.....VERY few people went to get their vaccinations....the government then promoted a massive campaign on TV .....still the public's response was well below expectations...in televised street interviews, when asked if they'd been vaccinated, people replied “no...why, if there's no more 'rush' ?” (really ? the logic of idiots).
Anyway, because of the still low vaccination index, the government then sent medical staff, social assistents, to visit distant neigborhoods, to make things easier....“favelas” were visited...vaccination stations were set up in metro/train stations, bus terminals...the campaign is ongoing.... .so who's to blame ? government or the 'stupid' people ?
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