 |
Yellow FeverWhat is Yellow Fever?Yellow fever is a viral disease that is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Yellow fever is preventable by immunization and travelers visiting countries with high yellow fever risk should get the yellow fever vaccine. It occurs predominately in the tropical regions of South America and Africa. The following South American countries are in the yellow fever-endemic zones: Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela. See map below. Yellow Fever Risk Areas in South America
Yellow Fever SymptomsSymptoms start 3 to 6 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Illness ranges in severity from flu-like symptoms to severe hepatitis and hemorrhagic fever. In mild cases only fever and headache may be present.The severe form of the disease starts with fever, chills, bleeding of the skin, rapid heartbeat, headache, and back pains. Also, nausea, vomiting, and constipation are common. Yellowing of the skin (jaundice) usually appears on the second or third day. After the third day the symptoms recede, only to return with increased severity in the final stage, during which there is a marked tendency to hemorrhage internally. The patient then lapses into delirium and coma, often followed by death. Yellow Fever Vaccine & TreatmentYellow fever can be prevented by vaccination and is recommended for people traveling to or living in tropical areas in South America and Africa where yellow fever occurs. The vaccine should be given 10 days before travel and at 10 year intervals if there is on-going risk.The yellow fever vaccine is a live attenuated (weakened) viral vaccine. Because it is a live vaccine, it should not be given to infants or people with immune-system impairment. Reactions to yellow fever vaccine are generally mild. Some vaccine recipients have reported mild headaches, low-grade fevers, or other minor symptoms that may begin within days after vaccination and last 5-10 days. Some have reported no reactions. Currently there is no immediate cure for yellow fever, therefore vaccination is important. Non-aspirin pain relievers, rest, and rehydration with fluids decrease discomfort. In non-severe cases the disease usually passes within a few weeks. Yellow Fever Vaccine Required for BoliviaYellow Fever vaccination is required for any person older than twelve (12) months traveling to Bolivia. The traveler entering Bolivia must bear the International Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, which shows proof of the yellow fever vaccination.If a pediatrician or primary physician decides that for health reasons a person cannot receive a Yellow Fever vaccine, they may issue corresponding certification. This certification must be translated into Spanish and the traveler must hold a copy of both Certificate and translation and is to be submitted before Bolivian Immigration Authorities. Tourists who do not have a International Vaccination Certificate for yellow fever will still be allowed to enter Bolivia, but they have to pay a $100 fee upon entry. Find an authorized U.S. yellow fever vaccination clinic. Further ResourcesThe current information about yellow fever is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). If you are planning international travel, you can learn about the risk of yellow fever in that geographic area by contacting:The CDC at its toll-free phone number (1-877-394-8747) or Web site (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/YellowFever/index.html).
|
