Use this page to find a wealth of information on Yellow Fever.
- Find generic information on yellow fever, where it’s found and its risk rating.
- Key advice on Yellow Fever symptoms, what to look out for and how the disease manifests itself.
- Find information on yellow fever prevention as well as Yellow Fever treatment whilst travelling.
- Access further information on how to prepare before you travel and how seriously to take this illness whilst making a trip.
- Click here for information on the Yellow Fever Vaccine
Yellow Fever
Yellow fever
What is it?
Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquito bites. There are two types of yellow fever – jungle and urban.
In jungle yellow fever infection is normally between mosquitoes and monkeys, with humans just chance victims. But it is nevertheless a serious disease in humans and was one of the main obstacles to building the Panama canal.
In urban yellow fever, the infection moves from the jungle into cities, where it can cause human epidemics. The disease is transmitted from human to human by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which is a city-dwelling insect.
What does it do (Yellow Fever Symptoms)?
Symptoms range from a flu-like illness to severe haemorrhage, jaundice, kidney failure and, in over 20% of cases, death. Doctors can attempt to correct damage caused by the infection but there is no treatment for the disease itself.
Where is it ?
Yellow fever occurs in sub-Saharan Africa and South America, with Africa the higher risk of the two. Strangely, though the mosquitoes and comparable conditions exist in Asia, yellow fever does not. The disease occurs mainly in jungle and transitional zones and not in coastal areas or the Andes.
Is Yellow Fever Prevention possible?
As with malaria, avoiding mosquito bites can help, but yellow fever is a potentially deadly disease and vaccination is highly recommended. Yellow fever vaccine is effective and lasts at least 10 years. It can only be given at yellow fever vaccination centres, listed by the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (see www.nathnac.org), which licenses and monitors them. Many countries require proof of vaccination with an international vaccination certificate, particularly for travellers coming from a country which has the disease.
Danger rating
With vaccine 1/10
Without vaccine 6/10
