Yellow Fever in Africa Not a Public Emergency: World Health Organization

Like Zika, yellow fever is spread by Aedes mosquitoes

The World Health Organization said the current yellow fever outbreak in central African requires urgent action, but doesn’t amount to a public health emergency, NBC News reports.

The organization’s advisory committee met Thursday and said the outbreak is slowing, not gaining speed.

Most of the cases are in Angola, but the virus has been carried to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Kenya by migrant workers. Eleven travelers have also carried it to China.

Like Zika, yellow fever is spread by Aedes mosquitoes. Those affected with the virus can’t be treated with drugs, but fluids can help patients survive.

WHO is working with companies that make yellow fever vaccine to build up the current stockpile and is working to vaccinate people at risk.

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