Angola has reported close to 3000 suspected yellow fever cases. Despite extensive mass vaccination campaigns in several provinces, circulation of the virus persists.
While vaccination is the most important tool to contain the spread of the disease, rapid diagnosis and care of people infected with yellow fever is also vital to improve their chances of surviving the disease.
This photo story focuses on the diagnosis and care of yellow fever patients at 2 hospitals in Luanda, Angola.
Hospital Geral de Luanda
Hospital Geral de Luanda in the capital city of Angola, Luanda has reported the majority of cases in the current yellow fever outbreak in Angola. The Hospital Geral de Luanda is 1 of 3 reference centres for yellow fever patients in the Luanda province.
WHO/Dalia Lourenço
Laboratory results showing cases of yellow fever
Ana Eunice Fernandes shows the rapid test results taken for suspected yellow fever patients to the Coordinator of the yellow fever unit, Ernesto Araújo, at the Hospital Geral de Luanda. Differential diagnostic tests are used to rule out diseases such as malaria and chikungunya.
WHO/Dalia Lourenço
Treating yellow fever cases
Female patients, who are suspected to have yellow fever, are treated in this room at the Hospital Geral de Luanda.
WHO/Dalia Lourenço
Treating the sick
A 16-year-old patient, is treated in the yellow fever unit at Hospital Geral de Luanda.
WHO/Dalia Lourenço
Yellow fever patients receive supportive care
There is no specific treatment for yellow fever, only supportive care to treat the symptoms, such as fever, bleeding and other complications. Associated bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. Adequate supportive care improves outcomes for seriously ill patients. This care is only available at identified referral hospitals.
WHO/Dalia Lourenço
Yellow fever patient ward
Treatment is provided in a hospital ward designated for suspected yellow fever cases at the Hospital Kapalanga in Municipio de Viana in Luanda province, Angola.
WHO/D. Lourenco
Treatment for all ages
Patients of all ages receive care for yellow fever cases at the Hospital Kapalanga in Municipio de Viana in Luanda province, Angola. Malaria and dengue have already been ruled out as diagnoses.
WHO/Dalia Lourenço
Beyond treatment, fighting the outbreak
WHO teams and other partners are supporting the Ministry of Health's response to yellow fever in the following areas: vaccination, vector control, epidemiological surveillance, laboratory capacity and social mobilization activities.
EPA