A state of emergency has been declared in the state of Minas Gerai in eastern Brazil. This measure, which should last 180 days, follows the increasing number of cases of yellow fever which is rampant in this part of the country. The virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes of the aedes type, infamously known to carry diseases such as the dengue, zika and chikungunya. To date, yellow fever has infected 63 people and is believed to have caused 35 fatal victims, reports the BBC.
The first symptoms felt during the first phase of the infection are quite common and difficult to dissociate from other pandemics such as the flu, complicating the diagnosis: chills, headaches, loss of appetite, nausea, fever, etc.
An estimated 15% of infected people will experience a more severe phase of the disease characterized by jaundice, intense fever, bleeding and deterioration of renal function, further specifies the bbc.
The last toxic phase leads to death within 10 to 14 days.
If there is no specific antiviral drug for yellow fever. It is possible, in infected patients, to improve survival rates by the rapid administration of good symptomatic treatment in the hospital, points out the World Health Organization. Specific care should be given to treat dehydration, liver and kidney failure, and fever. Antibiotics are used to treat secondary bacterial infections.
Two million doses of vaccine to prevent disease outbreak
More broadly, the fight against the spread of this haemorrhagic viral disease is based on vaccine prevention. It is clear that the State of Minas Gerai is illustrated by a low vaccination coverage, promoting the dissemination of the virus.
To prepare for a possible epidemic outbreak across Brazil, the government sent two million doses of vaccine to the state of Minas Gerai.
This is not the first time that Minas Gerais has experienced such a “surge” of yellow fever. The last dates back to 2002-2003, with 63 confirmed cases, including 23 deaths (source WHO: outbreak newsletter of January 13, 2017).
Yellow Fever Outbreak in Brazil Prompts a State of Emergency https://t.co/sEhClIvO3w v @domphillips#yellowfever#brazilpic.twitter.com/Yf8Ds1d4OD
– Kunal D Patel (@kunalthedreamer) January 15, 2017
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