yellow fever vaccine

What is yellow fever?

Yellow fever is a serious disease caused by the yellow fever virus. It is found in certain parts of Africa and South America.

Yellow fever is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It cannot be spread person to person by direct contact.

People with yellow fever disease usually have to be hospitalized. Yellow fever can cause:

>        bleeding from multiple body sites

>        liver, kidney, respiratory and other organ failure

>        death (20% - 50% of serious cases)

>        fever and flu-like symptoms

>        jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)

How can prevent yellow fever?

Yellow fever vaccine

Yellow fever vaccine can prevent yellow fever.

Yellow fever vaccine is given only at designated vaccination centers.

After getting the vaccine, you should be given a stamped and signed "International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis" (yellow card). This certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination and is good for 10 years.

You will need this card as proof of vaccination to enter certain countries. Travelers without proof of vaccination could be given the vaccine upon entry or detained for up to 6 days to make sure they are not infected.

Discuss your itinerary with your doctor or nurse before you get your yellow fever vaccination. Consult your health department or visit CDC’s travel information website to learn yellow fever vaccine requirements and recommendations for different countries.

Other preventive measures

Another way to prevent yellow fever is to avoid mosquito bites by:

>        wearing clothes that cover most of your body,

>        using an effective insect repellent, such as those containing DEET.

>        staying in well-screened or air-conditioned areas,