Abstract
BackgroundUnderstanding the occurrence of yellow fever epidemics is critical for targeted interventions and control efforts to reduce the burden of disease. We assessed data on the yellow fever incidence and mortality rates in Africa.MethodsWe searched the Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, Embase, Africa-wide and Web of science databases from 1 January 1975 to 30th October 2020. Two authors extracted data from included studies independently and conducted a meta-analysis.ResultsOf 840 studies identified, 12 studies were deemed eligible for inclusion. The incidence of yellow fever per 100,000 population ranged from < 1 case in Nigeria, < 3 cases in Uganda, 13 cases in Democratic Republic of the Congo, 27 cases in Kenya, 40 cases in Ethiopia, 46 cases in Gambia, 1267 cases in Senegal, and 10,350 cases in Ghana. Case fatality rate associated with yellow fever outbreaks ranged from 10% in Ghana to 86% in Nigeria. The mortality rate ranged from 0.1/100,000 in Nigeria to 2200/100,000 in Ghana.ConclusionThe yellow fever incidence rate is quite constant; in contrast, the fatality rates vary widely across African countries over the study period. Standardized demographic health surveys and surveillance as well as accurate diagnostic measures are essential for early recognition, treatment and control.
Highlights
Understanding the occurrence of yellow fever epidemics is critical for targeted interventions and control efforts to reduce the burden of disease
Most of the yellow fever cases identified in Africa are seen in the unvaccinated population who live in the yellow fever belt
We identified three conferences related to yellow fever through a Google search: International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID), International Congress on Infectious Diseases (ICID) and International Conference on Infectious Disease Dynamics (ICIDD)
Summary
Understanding the occurrence of yellow fever epidemics is critical for targeted interventions and control efforts to reduce the burden of disease. Most of the yellow fever cases identified in Africa are seen in the unvaccinated population who live in the yellow fever belt. In severe cases, this viral infection causes high fever, bleeding into the skin and death of cells in the liver and kidney [2]. Laboratory diagnosis exists, but the availability and lack of diagnostic capacity are major challenges in African countries. It is a major public health problem often underreported in Africa
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