ABIDJAN, Jul. 30, 2010 (Xinhua News Agency) -- Ivorian health authorities said Friday two people have died of yellow fever and one of dengue fever in Abidjan.
Since the diseases struck the western African nation recently, nine cases of yellow fever and ten cases of dengue fever have been found in the commercial capital of Abidjan as of Friday, including the three death cases, local press quoted health officials as saying.
Yellow fever has struck communities in Abidjan and two other major cities, while dengue fever mainly spread in Abidjan, the report said.
Health officials called on the public not to panic and pay attention to personal hygiene. They are vaccinating people against yellow fever and dengue fever in nearby cities to prevent the spread of the diseases.
Yellow fever and dengue fever are both viral diseases transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. There is no cure for yellow fever, and vaccination is the single most important prevention measure. Dengue fever is divided into common dengue and hemorrhagic dengue, with the latter having a higher death rate.
