We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Prevalence of yellow fever in North-Western province of Zambia.
- Authors
Babaniyi, Olusegun; Mazaba-Liwewe, Mazyanga L.; Masaninga, Freddie; Mwaba, Peter; Mulenga, David; Songolo, Peter; Mweene-Ndumba, Idah; Rudatsikira, Emmanuel; Siziya, Seter
- Abstract
Yellow fever virus infection is a public health problem in Africa. North-Western province of Zambia was reclassified from a no risk to a low risk area for YF in 2010. To ascertain this reclassification, an assessment for the risk of YF was conducted in 2013 in North-Western province. A total of 1,754 persons took part in the survey of which 48.8% were males. Overall, 15.8% of the participants were of age 45 years or older. Significantly more males (37.4%) than females (26.0%) had attained secondary or higher levels of education. Nine (0.5%) out of 1,754 participants had YF virus infection. Of the 9 cases, 4 were old infection and 5 were new. There were 6 Male and 3 female cases. The age range of the cases was 37-81 years. None of the cases had jaundice or bled but 3 had fever. Three cases had travelled to Congo DR and 1 case had travelled to Angola. Use of mosquito net was reported by 4 cases and another 4 cases reported that their houses were sprayed with IRS. The prevalence of YF virus infection among participants of ages 45 years or older (2.9%) was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that for participants aged less than 45 year (0.1%). North-Western province was experiencing an epidemic for YF virus infection. With a low prevalence, the area qualifies to be classified as a low risk for YF. Efforts to curb the epidemic are urgently needed. Yellow fever surveillance and the capacity of laboratories to diagnose YF should be strengthened.
- Publication
International Public Health Journal, 2016, Vol 8, Issue 1, p29
- ISSN
1947-4989
- Publication type
Article