Yellow fever in Brazil continues to increase

The Pan American Health Organization (Regional Office of the World Health Organization) reports that the total number of suspected cases of yellow fever has grown to 1,212. While the majority of the infected people were reported from the state of Minas Gerais, sporadic cases have also been reported from the states of Bahia, Espírito Santo, Rio Grande do Norte, São Paulo, and Tocantins. Approximately one-third of the confirmed cases have died from their infection.

A total of 12.5 million doses of the yellow fever vaccine have been distributed to Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, São Paulo, Bahia, and Rio de Janeiro.

Advice

Although the risk of exposure for the general traveller will vary from place to place within the affected states, travellers visiting areas in the affected states where the yellow fever virus is circulating should ensure that they are vaccinated against yellow fever at least 10 days before their trip.

In addition, travellers should take all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Travellers are reminded that many other countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival for all travellers equal to or greater than 9-12 months of age arriving from a country where there is a risk of yellow fever.