A foreign traveler in Brazil has contracted the serious mosquito-borne virus, yellow fever (YF), according to a Brazil Ministry of Health press release (computer translated).

Image/CIA
Image/CIA

Although many details of the case are lacking in the release, what we know is a case of sylvan yellow fever was reported in a foreigner traveled to the city of Alto Paraiso in Goias state and to Rio de Janeiro where the individual was diagnosed  and received medical treatment in the hospital. The patient has since been released.

Vaccination against yellow fever is part of the National Vaccination Calendar, being offered in the Unified System of Health (SUS) in areas where the vaccination is recommended. It must be administered at 9 months of age with a booster at 4 years, and for adults according to the information below. As a preventive measure for residents or visitors to areas where vaccination is recommended, the Ministry of Health recommends that people who have never received vaccination against the disease and are going to areas of YF risk must be vaccinated at least 10 days previously.

As a preventive measure for residents or visitors to these areas, as a vaccination recommendation, the Ministry of Health recommends that people who have never received the vaccine against this disease and are going to travel to areas of YF risk must be vaccinated at least 10 days previously:

– Those who have had a dose of the vaccine more than 10 years ago must receive a booster dose (The WHO indicated recently that the live, attenuated virus YF vaccine does not require booster every 10 years, but provides life-long immunity).

– Advise people who travel to YF risk areas without having been vaccinated at least 10 years previously to avoid going to forest areas.

– If it is necessary for these unvaccinated people to go to these places, they must wear clothing that protect exposed areas of the body, mainly arms and legs, and use mosquito repellent.

What is yellow fever?