GENEVA, Feb 20 (Reuters) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Wednesday that Yellow fever vaccines are being sent to Paraguay, where at least four people have died in the country's first outbreak in 30 years.

Thousands of Paraguayans blocked highways on Tuesday and tried to hammer down the door of health centres demanding vaccines. The South American nation declared a state of emergency last week to try to control the disease.

Health workers have given more than 200,000 vaccinations in high risk areas. The WHO said that Paraguay's health ministry had requested 2 million doses, and that efforts were under way to meet soaring demand for the country of 5.6 million where many people have not been immunised.

"Yellow fever vaccines shortage has been addressed by mobilising vaccines available in countries of the region," the WHO said.

The first cases of the disease, which is spread by mosquito bites, were confirmed in early February and Paraguayans have become increasingly concerned as more possible cases have been reported near the capital, Asuncion.

An outbreak of the disease, spread by mosquitoes, has killed at least 13 people in neighbouring Brazil since December. Brazil and Peru have supplied Paraguay with almost 1 million vaccines. (Reporting by Laura MacInnis; editing by Sami Aboudi)

AlertNet news is provided by