Mysterious deaths: Bauchi vaccinates Yankari workers against Yellow Fever

By A’isha Raji

Following the death of four persons while 10 others are in critical condition, Bauchi state Ministry of Health has resolved to vaccinate workers and people living around Yankari Game Reserve, Bauchi to forestall the outbreak of any epidemic.

Executive Secretary, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed said this, Thursday in Bauchi, the state capital. According to him, the agency has commenced the vaccination program.

He said the strange disease which causes its victim to vomit blood is suspected to be yellow fever hence the proactive vaccinations.

He confirmed that about 600 people have been vaccinated so far. He said, “We have the vaccine in stock and we are thinking of vaccinating communities on our borders with Gombe and Plateau states.”

He however said the health agency will also carry out investigation on possibility of Lassa fever since the areas concerned are areas where there was outbreak of Lassa fever in the past.

He said the whole area will be fumigated with mosquito spray to avoid the spread of malaria. “For now, we have taken precaution as we wait for samples taken to both Abuja and Senegal in order to know exactly what we are dealing with,” he pointed out.