WHO: 3rd phase of yellow fever vaccination campaign to start in Darfur

The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that the third phase of the yellow fever vaccination campaign is scheduled to start on 26 January in Darfur. Two million people should be targeted amid the arrival of the required additional vaccines in Khartoum. In a press statement, WHO declared that more than three million people were vaccinated against the disease in Darfur during the first two phases of the campaign. They took place respectively between the last week of November 2012 and the first week of January 2013. Over 840 people were diagnosed with the disease as of 23 January and 171 have died, according to WHO. The outbreak has affected more than 35 localities in Darfur. The national yellow fever risk assessment is ongoing to further assess the threat in other areas of the country and the need for conducting additional vaccination campaigns, a statement read.Photo: Additional yellow fever vaccine arriving at Khartoum International Airport (WHO)Related: Health ministry, WHO: yellow fever killed 171 in Darfur (10 January 2013)