Yellow fever is a viral disease, historically responsible for large scale epidemics in Africa and the Americas. It can be recognized from historic texts stretching back 400 years. Infection causes a wide spectrum of disease, from mild symptoms to severe illness and death. The “yellow” in the name is explained by the jaundice that affects some patients. Although an effective vaccine has been available for 60 years, the number of people infected over the last two decades has increased and yellow fever is now a serious public health issue. As such South African Port Health Authority requires Yellow Fever vaccinations for returned travelers from 42 countries globally.
Things you may be wondering about
Frequently asked Questions
The virus remains silent in the body during an incubation period of three to six days followed by two disease phases. While some infections have no symptoms whatsoever, the first, “acute”, phase is normally characterized by fever, muscle pain (with prominent backache), headache, shivers, loss of appetite, nausea and/or vomiting. After three to four days most patients improve and their symptoms disappear.
However, 15% enter a “toxic phase” within 24 hours. Fever reappears and several body systems are affected. The patient rapidly develops jaundice and complains of abdominal pain with vomiting. Bleeding can occur from the mouth, nose, eyes and/or stomach. Once this happens, blood appears in the vomit and faeces. Kidney function deteriorates; ranging from abnormal protein levels in the urine (albuminuria) to complete kidney failure with no urine production (anuria). Half of the patients in the “toxic phase” die within 10-14 days. The remainder recover without significant organ damage.
Yellow fever is difficult to recognize, especially during the early stages and can easily be mistaken for other diseases. A laboratory analysis is required to confirm a suspect case.
Thirty-three countries, with a combined population of 508 million, are at risk in Africa. These lie within a band from 15°N to 10°S of the equator. In the Americas, yellow fever is endemic in nine South American countries and in several Caribbean islands. Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are considered at greatest risk.
Although yellow fever has never been reported from Asia, this region is at risk because the appropriate primates and mosquitoes are present.
The risk to die from yellow fever is far greater than the risk from the vaccine, so those who may be exposed to yellow fever should be protected by immunization.
Since most of the known side effects have occurred in children less than six months old, vaccine is not administered to this age group or to pregnant women.
A vaccination certificate is required for entry to many countries, as well as returning to home countries after visiting endemic areas.