Is Angola's Yellow Fever Outbreak A Prelude To The Next Zika?

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A yellow fever outbreak in Angola has claimed 37 lives in the last two months and at least eight additional cases have been reported since Feb. 9. Various areas of the country have been affected with 191 cases so far, according to Angolan health officials.

"While an outbreak of yellow fever is worrisome, it isn't something alarming, at least not in the same way as Ebola and Zika," said Melanie French, Vice President of Clinic Operations for Passport Health. "Though Zika and yellow fever are both mosquito-borne diseases, yellow fever vaccination has driven back the illness."

French said yellow fever vaccination could also be used in the event of an unlikely spread as has been seen in recent months with Zika, chikungunya and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Local officials in Angola believe the potentially fatal disease can be stemmed through improved sanitation and other preventative measures.

The CDC recommends travelers to Angola and more than 40 other countries across Africa and South America receive yellow fever vaccination based on their itineraries and the likelihood of infection the areas. See this webpage for a full list of countries.

Yellow fever is primarily spread through contact with infected mosquitoes. The disease is vaccine-preventable and has declined since the vaccine was developed. The majority of those infected have no symptoms to mild illness, but roughly 15 percent of cases progress to a severe form of the disease. This is characterized by high fever, jaundice, bleeding and eventually shock and organ failure.

About Passport Health:
Passport Health is the largest and leading provider of travel medicine and vaccination services in the North America.  With over 250 clinic locations, 20+ years of experience, a commitment to first class medical care, and rigorously trained medical staff, Passport Health sets the immunization industry standard.  Passport Health's core services have grown from travel medicine to include passport and visa services, on-site flu clinics, specialty physical exams, routine immunizations, and vaccination record management for the public and private sector.

CONTACT:
Will Sowards
Digital Communications Specialist
(480) 646-9064 (direct)
will.sowards@passporthealthusa.com

SOURCE Passport Health