In February 2008, the first outbreak of yellow fever since 1974 of the area erupted in Paraguay in San Lorenzo, about 12 miles from the capital city of Asuncion. Because of the close proximity to the city, where such an illness could spread particularly quickly, vaccinations are necessary.
Vaccinations however, are in short supply. France, Brazil, other bordering nations, and the WHO have had to send vaccinations in hopes of halting the spread of the potentially fatal disease. There are no treatments for yellow fever (although rest and drinking plenty of WATER is suggested...), vaccinations are necessary to limit infection once the disease has been detected.
Urban yellow fever is spead by mosquitos. There has been a dramatic re-emergence of yello fever in poor (and water deprived) areas of Africa and South America since the 1980's. With vaccination, the disease is preventable. But it is important to note the further preventable measures if truely combatting the infection of yellow fever is to occur.
Officials of the Pan American Health Organization have stated that the key to preventing outbreaks is to reduce the breeding grounds for mosquitos who cause the spread of yellow fever.
As stated by Dr. William Perea, the yellow fever chief for the UN Health Agency: "Mosquitos thrive in built-up areas with poor hygiene and sanitation."
An estimated 30,000 people worldwide die annually from yellow fever--a disease preventable by better and more accessible water and sanitation systems and vaccinations.
In Asuncion Paraguay, in the first few months of 2007, Dengue Fever hit Paraguay. Dengue Fever has many similarities to yellow fever,including the spread due to mosquitos. However, there is no vaccination for Dengue Fever.
15,000 infected in the first 2 months.
State of Emergency declared for Paraguay on March 1, 2007.
"Uncontrolled urbanization has also produced deterioration of drinking water, severe water and waste-management systems, which has also increased mosquito breeding" --Lyle Petersen, (MD/MPH/Director of the CDC's division of Vector-Borne infectious diseases).
The health problems facing the people of Paraguay clearly extend beyond mosquitos alone.
Check out more on this issue: Video.
-N
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