In the past few days, HPIC staff have been busy mobilizing needed medical supplies to help people suffering from Yellow Fever in Angola.
“There is no cure but medical treatment is needed to treat symptoms and ease suffering,” says Denis St-Amour, HPIC’s President. “We expect to do a first airlift as early as April 20.”
The World Health Organization has stated that this outbreak “constitutes a potential threat for the entire world.”
A cluster of cases first appeared in December 2015. According to the WHO, as of April 7, 2016, there were more than 1,700 cases in 16 of 18 provinces in Angola and 238 deaths. The virus has now spread to D.R. Congo, Kenya, and China. Up to 50 per cent of people with severe cases will die.
Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. The “yellow” in the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients.
If you would like to help send critically needed medical supplies, donate now to HPIC’s Emergency Relief.