WHO urges vaccinations to stem yellow fever outbreak in Venezuela

Geneva, Oct 14 (EFE).- The World Health Organization on Thursday reported an outbreak of yellow fever in Venezuela, with seven cases confirmed by laboratory tests at the end of September.

Six of those affected were people who are not vaccinated against the disease, which is endemic in Venezuela and other South American countries.

The WHO said that “vaccination is the primary means for prevention and control” of the disease, calling for vaccination coverage to “increase, particularly in people living and spring in forested areas” who are exposed to mosquitos that transmit the disease.

It also recommended increasing inoculations among indigenous people, migrants and “other vulnerable populations who often live in densely populated urban areas”. EFE

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