Paraguay confirms 5 cases of yellow fever

Feb 20 2008

Health authorities in Paraguay have confirmed 5 cases of yellow fever in San Pedro.

These were among 46 suspected cases reported through Feb. 13, including 12 cases that were ruled out, and 29 unconfirmed cases, including two deaths, which are still under study.

The confirmed cases correspond to young men who were exposed while hunting at the Zapag Estate at the end of December 2007.

The two deaths under study in the Central Department presented clinical symptoms compatible with yellow fever. However, with information available to date from an exhaustive investigation in entomological, epidemiological, and clinical areas, it cannot be stated that yellow fever transmission occurred in an urban area.

National health authorities, with support of a team of PAHO experts in clinical aspects, laboratory, epidemiology, vaccination, and risk communication are proceeding with a detailed study of the suspected cases reported and of control measures in progress.

The Ministry of Health of Paraguay has worked to intensify control measures recommended for these cases: vector control, with systematic spraying, intensified surveillance of cases, and perimeter vaccination. These efforts have been directed to the population that lives in areas with risk of transmission where epizootics or human cases were recently registered or people who travel to those areas, to avoid indiscriminate mass vaccination or revaccination.

PAHO and the countries of Region are mobilizing to support Paraguay with sufficient yellow fever vaccine in order to guarantee the continuity of prevention and control actions. Brazil and Peru are providing additional vaccines to Paraguay.

The Pan American Health Organization, founded in 1902, works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of their peoples. It serves as the Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO).