International travelers who are going to any area of the state of São Paulo, Brazil should get vaccinated against yellow fever, according to updated recommendations issued by the World Health Organization (WHO)’s last week. Travelers should get the vaccine at least 10 days before traveling.

Sao Paulo map screen shot
Sao Paulo map screen shot

This recommendation takes into account recent yellow fever activity in the state of São Paulo and adds to recommendations made last year for other areas of Brazil.

Currently, the vaccine is recommended for international travelers heading to Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo and Maranhão, as well as to certain areas of Bahia and Piauí states.

In related news, officials at Erasmus University Medical Centre in the Netherlands reported recently on a imported yellow fever case in the country in a traveler to Brazil.

The case, a 46-year-old unvaccinated male patient, who traveled to and stayed in Maripora, São Paulo State, Brazil since mid December, was confirmed positive for yellow fever upon return to the Netherlands on Jan. 8.

Upon hospitalization in the Erasmus University Medical Centre the patient showed rapid recovery.

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WHO says immunization is the most important measure to prevent yellow fever. People living or traveling to areas considered at risk should be up to date on their vaccines and should protect themselves from mosquito bites. A single dose of the vaccine provides life-long protection against yellow fever disease.

Travelers with contraindications for the yellow fever vaccine (infants under 9 months, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with severe hypersensitivity to egg protein or with a severe immunodeficiency or over age 60) should consult their doctor to make a careful evaluation of risks and benefits.

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Travelers who present symptoms or signs of yellow fever during their trip or after returning from areas considered at risk of transmission of the disease should seek medical assistance.

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