Yellow Fever

Yellow fever (YF) is a vaccine-preventable viral infection transmitted predominantly by certain species of day-biting mosquitoes. YF virus can cause an illness that results in jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) and bleeding, with severe damage to the major organs. The death rate is high in those who develop severe diseases.

High-Risk Areas

YF is a risk in parts of the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa and South and Central America and Trinidad (Caribbean). Areas with a risk of YF transmission are countries (or areas within countries) where mosquito species known to transmit the disease are present and where the infection is reported in monkeys and/or humans.

The risk of contracting YF is determined by the following factors:

Travel destination.
The intensity of YF transmission in the area to be visited.
Season of travel (most cases in travellers have occurred in the late rainy season to early dry season).
Duration of travel. Activities allowing exposure to mosquitoes.
Immunisation status.

To prevent the international spread of YF, under International Health Regulations, countries may require proof of vaccination, recorded in an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP).

Signs and Symptoms

The first phase of Yellow Fever includes symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, headache, shivers, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. After three to four days most patients improve and their symptoms disappear. However, within 24 hours of apparent recovery, some patients progress to a more serious stage of the illness involving jaundice, haemorrhagic fever, and deterioration of kidney function. Some patients that develop this form of the disease die within 7-10 days after the onset. Yellow Fever is fatal in approximately 20% – 40% of cases.

Prevention/Vaccine

Hope Travel Clinic (Hope Online Pharmacy) is a designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre and has been authorised by NaTHNaC (the regulatory body for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland), to administer the yellow fever vaccine under International Health Regulations (2005).