Vaccination and Immunization

Yellow Fever is a viral condition that is caused by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Its manifestations vary from mild Influenza like symptoms to a much more sever hemorrhagic fever. The more severe form can result in death. Infants and children are more prone to suffer from severe disease.

The disease is prevalent in parts of two continents - Sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America. In South America, yellow fever is more common in people who work in forests and jungles. Travelers planning to explore the tropical and rain forests are strongly advised to get vaccinated. If you travel to the urban regions, the risk is negligible. The risk to a traveler is 10 times greater in rural West Africa than in South America and it also varies depending on the month and season of the year. In West Africa, the risk is highest during the late rainy season and early dry season from July-October, whereas in Brazil the risk of infection is highest during the rainy season from January to March.

The vaccine against Yellow fever is effective and relatively safe. A single injection of 0.5 mL is given sub-cutaneously.

Precautions include preventing mosquito bites by staying indoors, wearing clothes that cover the arms and legs and using insect repellants containing DEET or Picaridin (taking care to re-apply these as directed on the label.) One can also use Permethrin-containing repellents on ones clothing.