Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever

A dangerous virus which infects travellers in Africa, South America, Central America and the Caribbean through mosquito bites. Can cause muscle pain, headaches, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting and occasionally death. Half of those with a severe case of yellow fever die as a result.

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Key Facts around Yellow Fever

Half of those with a severe case of yellow fever die as a result.1

Travellers_Yellow_Fever_Map_-_CDC_2017-01.png
  • How do people catch the disease?

    When they’re bitten by infected mosquitoes which carry the virus.1,3

  • Which countries are affected?

    Many countries in South and Central America, including parts of the Caribbean, and in West and Central Africa (see map).2

  • What are the symptoms?

    Fever, muscle pain, headache, jaundice, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting.1,2

  • How serious is the diseas?

    The disease is serious and can affect the liver and kidneys, cause uncontrolled bleeding, and be fatal.1,3

  • Can I reduce the chances of catching the disease?

    You can take the following precautions to help reduce your risk of infection:

    • Visit a travel health clinic to assess the risks of the planned trip and get advice about available vaccinations and further precautions. Click here to find your nearest travel health clinic and make an appointment: https://www.reisemedizincheck.at/en/find-a-travel-health-service
    • Use a recommended insect repellent containing either Icaridin or DEET.3
    • Wear appropriate clothing (e.g long-sleeved clothes and long trousers)3
    • Use physical barriers to avoid mosquito bites, such as bed nets and window screens4
    • llow fever is prevented by an extremely effective and safe vaccine. A single dose of the yellow fever vaccine is sufficient to provide lifelong protection1
References:
  1. World Health Organization. Factsheet. Yellow Fever. Mai 2019. Available online: http://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/yellow-fever (Last accessed October 2022)
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yellow Book 2020. Chapter 4 Travel-Related Infectious Diseases. Yellow Fever. Available online: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/travel-related-infectious-diseases/yellow-fever (Last accessed October 2022)
  3. Gesundheit.GV.AT. Gelbfieber. Available online: https://www.gesundheit.gv.at/leben/gesundheitsvorsorge/reisemedizin/infektionskrankheiten/gelbfieber (Last accessed October 2022)
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yellow Book 2020. Chapter 3 Environmental Hazards & Other Noninfectious Health Risks. Mosquitoes, Ticks, & Other Arthropods. Available online: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/noninfectious-health-risks/mosquitoes-ticks-and-other-arthropods (Last accessed October 2022)


AT-TB-2300022
03-March-2023
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