Thursday, February 28, 2008

Yellow fever outbreak sparks vaccinations


The World Health Organization cautioned that Latin American countries need to monitor closely the vaccines for yellow fever after confirming the first death from the disease in six decades.

The United Nation's WHO confirmed nine cases and three deaths in Paraguay. The country's officials pegged the death toll at eight.

WHO yellow fever chief Dr. William Perea said because most people in Latin America have not been exposed to the virus, they have no immunity. Urban residents are most at risk, because most outbreaks happen in the jungle, where people will have better defenses.

Other countries including Argentina have begun yellow fever vaccinations.

Sources: AP and CNN

Photo: CNN

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