Yellow Fever in Nigeria

Multiple cases of yellow fever have been recorded in the African country of Nigeria. Since September, 10 cases (spread across various states [Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, Abia, and Edo]) have appeared in Nigerian residents. This has prompted response from the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, and the Federal Executive Council. Beginning in December, the Nigerian federal government plans to begin a nationwide vaccination against Yellow Fever Virus as a method to combat the current outbreak. Before the nationwide program, the Ministry of Health plans to start vaccinating residents of Kwara and Kogi, the regions with the highest number of reported cases thus far. Since this announcement, no new cases have come to light.

Yellow fever vaccines are relatively prices, costing around $150 (including some consultation  but not administration fees). Likewise, a nationwide vaccination campaign, while extraordinarily useful, is likely to be quite the bill to fork up at the end of the year. Yellow fever vaccine was discovered in the 1950's by the Rockefeller Foundation (and was merit for a Nobel Prize). The current versions of the vaccine are live-attenuated vaccines distributed as single doses, granting "lifelong" immunity against the yellow fever virus. It's recommended only for those 9 months and older (preferably under 60 years old), but it is only regularly administered to those who live in or travel to Africa or South America with booster shots.

Yellow fever virus is a RNA virus of the Flavivirus genus, transmitted by Aedes or Haemagogus mosquitoes infected by infected primates (including humans). This virus is so common in myriad environments that its transmission cycle has been broken down into three intertwined cycles (the jungle, urban, and savannah) reflecting its ability to survive in tropical and subtropical climates across large areas.

I'll Yellow fev-ah see yah later. ;)

-Javarcia Ivory