Angola says 37 dead in outbreak

February 11, 2016 7:57 AM

Symptoms of yellow fever include sudden fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting and fatigue, according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

Saleh Mohammed Hamid, 18, from West Darfur's Gocker, is treated at Teaching Hospital after getting infected with yellow fever in El Geneina in this November 14, 2012 handout. REUTERS/Albert Gonzalez Farran/UNAMID/Handout

A yellow fever outbreak in Angola has killed 37 people since December with eight new cases reported in the last 24 hours, the country's national director of health Adelaide de Carvalho said late on Wednesday.

The outbreak of yellow fever, which is transmitted by mosquito bites, began in the Luanda suburb of Viana but has spread to other areas of the southern African country with 191 people infected so far.

De Carvalho said health officials were monitoring suburbs around the capital of Luanda where infections have been worsened by unsanitary conditions caused by a garbage collection backlog.

"Actions should be developed for the improvement of public sanitary and garbage collection," de Carvalho said.

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!