South Sudan to enhance surveillance on yellow fever

South Sudan on Wednesday announced plans to tighten border surveillance on yellow fever by restricting visitors from neighboring countries affected by epidemic outbreak.

Information, Communication Technology and Postal Service Minister, Michael Makuei, said South Sudan is concerned about the recent reports of yellow fever outbreak in Uganda, Angola, Kenya and Democratic Republic of Congo, due to continuous spread of the virus in the region which places the country at high risk.

Makuei said despite the country being a yellow fever free zone, there is high need to put necessary precautions that will protect people from contracting the virus.

"So people are advised to get vaccination before they travel. Nobody will be allowed to enter South Sudan at any points of entry without yellow fever card," Makuei said.

Last month, Uganda confirmed seven cases of the epidemic, subsequently after Angola and Democratic Republic of Congo were faced with the pathological disease.

Makuei said if the visitors failed to get the vaccine from their country of origin, they shall be diagnosed upon arrival at any point of entrance.

According to the government spokesperson, the health authorities urged public to report any epidemic symptoms immediately to the nearest health facilities in the country, and advised travelers to move with their vaccinations card when visiting or leaving the country.

The yellow fever virus is transmitted through mosquito bites. Once contracted, the virus incubates in the body for three to six days followed by illness whose symptoms include fever, muscle pain with prominent backache, headache, shivers, loss of appetite and nausea or vomiting.

In severe cases, patients develop jaundice and bleeding. Health officials said vaccination is the single most important measure for preventing yellow fever.

(APD)