Yellow Fever is a viral disease caused by the bite of one species of mosquito. Yellow fever typically occurs in sub – Saharan Africa and tropical South America where epidemic can occur. Symptoms of illness range from “flu-like” symptoms to severe fevers with the discharge of blood. Yellow fever can be fatal.
Certain areas of the world are considered yellow fever endemic areas because yellow fever is so widespread that there is a very high risk of travelers coming in contact with infected mosquitoes. In these areas, the highest risk of infection occurs during the rainy and early dry seasons.
Protection from yellow fever is two-fold:
Yellow Fever is common in West and Central Africa and in parts of Central and South America.
Anyone who is travelling to areas with known Yellow Fever (West and Central Africa and in parts of Central and South America).
Adverse reactions following yellow fever vaccine are typically very mild and consist of headache, muscle ache, low-grade fever, and/or soreness at the injection site. Injection site reactions usually occur in 1-5 days after immunization. Severe allergic reactions (such as shortness of breath, lip or tongue swelling, difficulty breathing, encephalitis, etc) are rare.