2016 Angola and DR Congo yellow fever outbreak

2016 Angola and DR Congo Yellow Fever Outbreak

The 2016 Angola and DR Congo yellow fever outbreak was a significant epidemic of yellow fever that affected Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 2016. The outbreak began in Angola in December 2015 and spread to the DRC, leading to a large-scale public health response.

Background

Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes aegypti species. It is endemic in tropical areas of Africa and South America. The disease can cause fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle pains, and headaches. In severe cases, it can lead to liver damage and jaundice, hence the name "yellow fever."

Outbreak

The outbreak was first identified in Luanda, the capital of Angola, in December 2015. By early 2016, the disease had spread to other provinces in Angola and across the border into the DRC. The rapid spread of the disease was facilitated by the high density of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and the movement of people between the two countries.

Cases and Deaths

The outbreak resulted in thousands of suspected cases and hundreds of confirmed cases of yellow fever. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that as of July 2016, there were over 3,000 suspected cases in Angola, with a significant number of deaths attributed to the outbreak.

Map showing the spread of yellow fever in Angola and the DRC in 2016.

Age Distribution

The outbreak affected all age groups, but there was a notable distribution of cases among different age groups. The majority of cases were reported in adults aged 15-29 years.

Distribution of yellow fever cases by age group in Angola, 2016.

Timeline

The outbreak peaked in mid-2016, with a significant number of cases reported in June and July. The response efforts, including mass vaccination campaigns, helped to control the spread of the disease by the end of 2016.

Line graph of confirmed cases and deaths (cumulative) in the 2016 epidemic of yellow fever in Angola as of 21 July 2016.

Response

The response to the outbreak involved a coordinated effort by the governments of Angola and the DRC, the WHO, and other international partners. Mass vaccination campaigns were launched to immunize millions of people in the affected areas. The WHO also provided technical support and resources to help control the outbreak.

Impact

The outbreak highlighted the challenges of controlling yellow fever in urban settings and the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage in endemic areas. It also underscored the need for improved surveillance and rapid response capabilities to prevent future outbreaks.

Related pages

• Yellow fever
• Aedes aegypti
• World Health Organization
• Epidemic

Gallery

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  Map showing the spread of yellow fever in Angola and the DRC in 2016.
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  Distribution of yellow fever cases by age group in Angola, 2016.
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  Line graph of confirmed cases and deaths (cumulative) in the 2016 epidemic of yellow fever in Angola as of 21 July 2016.