Brazil: Yellow fever outbreak nationwide

Event

As of mid-February, at least 36 confirmed cases of yellow fever, including eight deaths attributed to the disease, have been reported São Paulo and Paraná states. Health officials have deployed additional resources to the cities of Eldorado, Jacupiranga, Iporanga, Cananéia, Cajati, Pariquera-Açu, Sete Barras, Vargem and Serra Negra in São Paulo state and to Antonina and Adrianópolis in Paraná state. The Ministry of Health advised all individuals in the affected states to take measures against mosquitoes and to ensure vaccination against the disease.

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 and should be administered at least ten days prior to travel to an affected area to be fully effective.

Advice

Individuals in or planning travel to the affected areas 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 mosquito-borne diseases (e.g. by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping with mosquito screens or nets and/or air-conditioned rooms).