Brazil: National vaccination campaign amid yellow fever outbreak /update 9

Event

The Brazilian Ministry of Health has announced plans to launch a nationwide yellow fever vaccination campaign amid the ongoing epidemic hitting the southeast of the country, and following another epidemic that struck Minas Gerais state (among other places) December 2016 to March 2017. According to the ministry, vaccination campaigns already ongoing in various states (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Bahia) will be extended progressively throughout the country; the goal is for residents of all 1589 municipalities to receive the vaccine by April 2019.

As of March 20, at least 1952 likely or confirmed cases of yellow fever had been reported in the country, including 340 deaths, since July 1, 2017. The worst-hit areas have been the southeastern states of Minas Gerais (776), São Paulo (767), and  Rio de Janeiro (223). While yellow fever has not been detected in cities, urban cases cannot be ruled out.

Context

Symptoms of yellow fever - a mosquito-borne disease - generally appear within three to six days following infection and include fever, chills, muscle and back pain, vomiting, headaches, and, in more serious cases, hemorrhaging and organ failure. The vaccine provides lifelong immunity.

Various other mosquito-borne diseases are also present in Brazil, in both urban and rural areas, including dengue fever, chikungunya, the Zika virus, and malaria.

Advice

Individuals in or planning travel to the affected regions are advised to stay abreast of local epidemiological developments, consult their doctor regarding vaccination options, and continue to protect themselves against insects due to the presence of various mosquito-borne diseases (e.g. by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping in screened-in and/or air-conditioned rooms).