YELLOW FEVER

YELLOW FEVER

• Yellow fever virus is found in tropical and subtropical areas in South America and Africa.
• The virus is transmitted to human by the bite of an infected mosquito
• Yellow fever is very rare cause of illness in U.S. travellers.
• There is no specific treatment for yellow fever – care is based on symptoms.

Symptoms

i. The person who infected with yellow fever virus have no illness or only mild illness
ii. The incubation period is typically 3-6 days.
iii. Fever, chills, severe headache, back pain, general body aches, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness.

How is yellow fever transmitted?

Three transmission cycles for yellow fever have been identified.

1. Sylvatic (jungle) cycle :

•   In tropical rain forest, infected monkeys pass the virus to mosquito that feed on them.
•  These infected mosquitoes then bite humans who enter the rain forest for occupational or recreational activities.

 
    2. Intermediate ( savannah ) cycle :

• In humid or semi-humid regions of Africa
• The virus can be transmitted from monkeys to human, or from human to human by the mosquitoes.

    3. Urban cycle :

• When infected humans introduce the virus into urban areas with large numbers of unvaccinated individual, infected mosquitoes ( aedes aegypti ) transmit the disease from human to human.
• This form of transmission can lead to large epidemics.

Prevention of Yellow Fever

Avoid mosquito bites

• Use insect repellent  - When go outdoors, use an EPA
• Wear proper clothing to reduce mosquito bites – when weather permits, wear long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors. Mosquitoes  may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA – registered repellent will give extra protection.
• Be aware of peak mosquito hours 

1. Aedes aegypti one of the mosquitoes that transmits yellow fever virus, feel during the daytime. 
2. Staying in accommodations with screened or air – conditioned rooms,                 particully during peak biting times, will reduce risk of mosquito bites.

Reference: yellow fever