South Sudan’s Ministry of Health has declared a yellow fever outbreak in Yambio County, Western Equatoria State, following the confirmation of a positive case.
Yellow fever is an infectious viral disease transmitted to humans through mosquito bites carrying the Yellow Fever Virus. Symptoms include high-grade fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, blood in urine or stool, and yellow discoloration of the skin or eyes.
Speaking at a press conference in Juba on Saturday, National Minister of Health Yolanda Awel Deng said the confirmation came after a 21-year-old man exhibited symptoms consistent with yellow fever.
Deng stated, “The sample collected from the case patient was tested at the NPHL on December 24, 2023, and later confirmed for Yellow Fever infection at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI). Additional testing using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) for Ebola and Marburg viruses returned negative results. Ongoing differential testing for other diseases is in progress.”
In response to the outbreak, the Ministry of Health said it has activated the Public Health Emergency Operation Center (PHEOC) in response mode.
A team of experts from national and subnational levels, along with support from WHO and other partners, has been mobilized to conduct a thorough field investigation. The response efforts include active case searching, community mobilization, and sensitization activities in Gangura and its surrounding areas.
Minister Awel announced plans to conduct a yellow fever vaccination campaign in Gangura Payam and surrounding areas within the next two weeks, where the disease has been identified.
According to Awel, the Ministry of Health, supported by WHO, has sought approval from the International Coordination Group (ICG) overseeing the Global Stockpiles of Yellow Fever vaccines.
“We anticipate that yellow fever vaccines will be available in the next two weeks, and vaccination efforts will kick off in Yambio and neighbouring counties to curb the virus’s spread,” she said.
Minister Awel urged the public to ensure that all travelers entering or leaving South Sudan receive yellow fever vaccination, emphasizing compliance with travel requirements to minimize the risk of the virus spreading through international travel.
Additionally, she advised the population to use mosquito nets while sleeping and encouraged reporting any suspected cases to the nearest health facility or the call center hotline number (6666).
Awel reiterated the Ministry of Health’s call for public cooperation during the investigation and response to the outbreak. She assured South Sudanese and residents that, with the country’s experience and available expertise, the yellow fever outbreak will be effectively contained.
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