Ministry of Health has declared a Yellow Fever outbreak in Gangura Payam, Yambio, Western Equatoria State, following the identification of a case.
According to the health ministry, on December 21, 2023, an 18-year-old male from Kangura village experienced symptoms including general body weakness, headache, epigastric discomfort, fever, blood vomiting, and jaundice.
After samples were collected and tested in National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), Uganda, the results confirmed a Yellow Fever positive
“The Ministry of Health in South Sudan would like to inform the general public of the confirmation of an outbreak of Yellow Fever in Yambio County, Western Equatoria State,” said Yolanda Awel Deng, the National Minister of Health in a statement.
The Minister also added that differential testing using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) for Ebola and Marburg viruses was negative.
Mrs. Awel said the Public Health Emergency Operation Center (PHEOC) has been activated to respond to a Yellow Fever outbreak in Gangura and its surrounding areas.
“A team of experts from national, subnational, WHO and partners were mobilized to conduct a detailed field investigation, active case search, community mobilization, and sensitization in Gangura and its surrounding areas,” she added.
Health authorities anticipate that Yellow Fever vaccines will be available in the area soon, and vaccination will commence in Yambio and surrounding counties to contain the spread of the virus.
Yellow Fever is an infectious viral disease transmitted through bites of infected mosquitoes. Symptoms include high fever, headache, general body pains, vomiting, blood in urine or stool, and yellow discoloration of skin and eyes.
The health ministry is now advising the public to be vaccinated whenever traveling to minimize the risk of spread and to sleep under mosquito nets.
Suspect cases should be reported to the nearest health facility or the call center hotline number (6666).
The ministry also urges public cooperation with officials during the investigation and response to the outbreak.