Yellow Fever

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:

• fever and flu like symptoms
• jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)
• bleeding from multiple body sites
• liver,kidney, respiratory and other organ failure
• death (20%-50% of serious cases)

How can I prevent yellow fever?

Yellow fever vaccine can prevent yellow fever.
Yellow fever vaccine is given only at designated vaccination centres like Brindabella Family Practice.
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 life.

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 at www.cdc.gov/travel to learn yellow fever vaccine requirements and recommendations for different countries.

Other preventive measures
Another way to prevent yellow fever is to avoid mosquitos bites by:

• staying in a well-screened or air-conditioned areas
• wearing clothes that cover most of your body,
• using as effective insert repellent, such as those containing DEET.