The Director-General, NCDC, Jide Idris, made this known during an interview in Abuja, stressing that yellow fever, a viral infection transmitted by infected mosquitoes, also posed significant health risks.
According to him, the spike in yellow fever incidents can largely be attributed to heightened mosquito activities, as these insects are primary vectors for the disease. He said yellow fever is an epidemic-prone, vaccine-preventable disease caused by an arbovirus transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of infected Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes.
He added that the incubation period ranges from three to six days. The NCDC boss said that a small percentage of cases progressed to a toxic phase, with systemic infection affecting the liver and kidneys.
Idris also said that yellow fever is preventable through a vaccine, which is safe and affordable, adding, that a single dose of yellow fever vaccine is sufficient to grant sustained immunity and life-long protection.
The NCDC boss said implementing effective mosquito control measures could substantially reduce the risk of yellow fever infection noting that stagnant water serves as breeding grounds for mosquitoes and advised people to regularly clean their surroundings to eliminate breeding space for mosquitoes.
He noted that by following preventive measures, communities could better protect themselves from yellow fever during the rainy season.