An epidemic of yellow fever on the outskirts of the Angolan capital, Luanda, which has already claimed an estimated 100 lives, has scythed through one family , taking three of their four children in a single day. The siblings, Mauro Julião dos Santos (7), Sofia Juliao dos Santos (5) and Lucrécia Julião dos Santos (3) succumbed to the fever within 24 hours of showing symptoms. The youngest sister, Natália Julião dos Santos (1) is fighting for her life.
The cause of death has been confirmed by Cajueiros hospital, which issued death certificates stating that the children died from yellow fever. Tragically, the family - despite sharing a name with the Angolan President, Jose Eduardo dos Santos - is so poor that they cannot even afford makeshift coffins for the tiny victims. The grandparents put out an appeal to the authorities to show compassion: "Can the government please help us with money to buy coffins? We are truly desperate", sobbed Maria de Sousa, the children's grandmother.
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