lunes, 31 de diciembre de 2018

YELLOW FEVER - AFRICA (29): ZAMBIA (LUSAKA) FAKE CARDS

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Published Date: 2018-12-30 14:13:13
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Yellow fever - Africa (29): Zambia (LS) fake cards
Archive Number: 20181230.6228781
YELLOW FEVER - AFRICA (29): ZAMBIA (LUSAKA) FAKE CARDS
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Date: Sat 29 Dec 2018
Source: Zambia Daily Mail Limited [edited]
http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/fake-health-certificates-scam-exposed/


Fake World Health Organisation (WHO) yellow fever certificates of vaccination are being openly sold at Inter-City Bus Terminus in Lusaka to travellers who cannot afford to pay K450 [about USD 38] to get vaccinated.

Because of the high cost of the vaccine, some travellers prefer acquiring the certificate from the bus terminus, where one can easily get the medical document for K50 [about USD 4].

Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. The "yellow" in the name of the ailment refers to the jaundice (yellowing of skin) that affects some patients.

Under the guise of a traveller, this reporter managed to easily buy the document at Inter-City Bus Terminus by simply asking where one can buy the yellow fever certificate.

[Byline: Caroline Kalombe]

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[The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Zambia a yellow fever (YF) free zone. The WHO found from scientific research that Zambia had reduced cases of yellow fever. The Tourism Council of Zambia (TCZ) indicated that the long-awaited WHO decision would significantly increase international tourist arrivals. The South Africa requirements for proof of vaccination status had led to the sale of fake YF vaccination cards in Zambia and Zimbabwe. The change in South African requirements should end this illegal and unfortunate practice, but apparently it has not. In the absence of internal risk of YF within Zambia, the motive for sale of YF vaccination cards presumably is economic on the part of travelers that may be going to countries where there is a risk of infection and evidence of vaccination may be required for entry.

Fake yellow fever (YF) vaccination cards have been a recurring problem in several African countries in the recent past. The sale of fake yellow fever vaccination cards to individuals who did not receive the vaccine presents a serious public health problem inside and outside of Zambia. An unvaccinated, viremic individual with a fake card who becomes infected outside Zambia could carry YF virus to localities in the country where vector mosquitoes are present and initiate an outbreak of this serious disease.

One wonders, if the practice of issuance of fake YF cards continues, whether countries that are currently YF-free but are most at risk of ongoing transmission should the virus be introduced, in Central and North America, South and South East Asia, will deny visas to or admittance of individuals coming from Zambia unless they can prove that their cards are legitimate. The Zambian government authorities should put a stop to these practices immediately. - Mod.TY

HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of Zambia: http://healthmap.org/promed/p/3090]

See Also

2015
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Yellow fever - Africa (03): Zambia certification change 20150130.3132542
Yellow fever - Africa (02): Zambia, Zimbabwe fake cards 20150121.3108372
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