Yellow fever

Case Definition

Yellow fever is a vector borne viral disease transmitted between humans by a mosquito. It is characterised by an acute onset of fever, hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), and albuminuria (protein in the urine), followed by remission, renal (kidney) failure, shock, and generalised haemorrhages (bleeding).

Case Management
There is no specific treatment for yellow fever, besides supportive care.

Health Education
There are two actions travellers can take to avoid yellow fever:

1. General precautions to avoid mosquito bites should be followed by everyone.
2. Most adults and children over nine months of age can receive the yellow fever vaccine.

General precautions to avoid mosquito bites include the use of insect repellent, protective clothing, and mosquito netting. Yellow fever vaccine is a live virus vaccine. A single dose confers immunity lasting 10 years or more.  Some countries require travellers to have received yellow fever vaccine within the last 10 years as a condition for entry.