Anambra lawmakers urge enlightenment on yellow fever

ANAMBRA State House of Assembly has urged Governor Willie Obiano to direct the Commissioner for Health to intensify public enlightenment campaign on preventive measures of yellow fever in the state.

  Chief sponsor of the motion and member, representing Ekwusigo Constituency, Onyebuchi  Offor, while leading the motion submitted  that yellow fever is an acute viral disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

  According to Offor, “The ‘yellow’ in the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients. When transmitted to humans, the yellow fever can damage the liver and other internal organs.

  “The symptoms of yellow fever include yellowness of the eye, sudden fever, headache, jaundice, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.

   “Since May 2019, over 55 suspected cases have been reported across eight LGAs. The outbreak has resulted in a high number of deaths as 20 of the suspected cases have died. Offor regretted.

  “There is no cure for yellow fever, the only treatment available is management and alleviation of the symptoms. Yellow fever vaccine confers lifelong immunity against the disease and is available in primary health care centers..

  “There is need to carry out public enlightenment campaign to all the nooks and crannies of the state, to educate on preventive measures, personal hygiene and yellow fever vaccination.