The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control over the weekend disclosed that a suspected outbreak of yellow fever in Ebonyi State had killed 20 people.
The agency in a statement signed by its Director General, Chikwe Ihekweazu, said a rapid response team had been sent to support the state since July 30, 2019, in partnership with the World Health Organisation.
It said following reported cases and deaths from an unknown fever in Izzi Local Government Area in Ebonyi State, an investigation was launched during which it was discovered that between May 1 and August 7, there had been cases that fit into the case definition for Yellow fever and 20 deaths indicating that the outbreak may have been going on for a few months undetected by local health authorities.
NCDC stated that by the time the cases were reported, it was too late to collect samples for confirmation from the cases.
Ihekweazu who is a medical doctor also revealed that detailed analysis and plans are in advanced stages to apply to the international vaccine stockpile to enable a reactive vaccination campaign in Ebonyi state.