17 August 2011

South Africa: Yellow Fever vaccine shortage over

Travellers planning a trip to countries where Yellow Fever is prevalent have been advised to visit their nearest travel clinics and be vaccinated against the virus.
Health Department spokesperson Fidel Hadebe announced on Monday that the vaccine is now available in South Africa, following the recent shortage of Yellow Fever vaccine.
"Travel clinics in Gauteng started receiving their stock from [Monday] and travel clinics in other provinces are to receive their stock from 17 August 2011," Hadebe said.
He noted that the Yellow Fever vaccine shortage occured because the World Health Organisation recently added other countries as yellow fever high risk territories, resulting in higher demand for the vaccine.
Yellow Fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease that occurs in tropical and subtropical areas. It is transmitted by species of Aedes and Haemogogus mosquitoes. There is no specific treatment, but vaccination is very effective. (via BuaNews)

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