Yellow fever is an infection caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitos. Yellow fever is a risk in very specific countries of Africa, South and Central America and in Trinidad.
Yellow Fever
Yellow Fever and travel
It is important that individuals travelling to yellow fever risk areas are vaccinated, as there is no specific anti -viral treatment for yellow fever. Treatment would involve symptom relief and management of liver failure or kidney failure. Although, only a small proportion of infected people get severe disease, of those that do, up to 50% of cases are likely to be fatal.
Vaccination for prevention, which provides 95- 100% immunity, is therefore the best way to ensure risk of severe disease is reduced.
There are two instances where travellers are recommended vaccination:
When entering risk areas
To prevent the spread of yellow fever
So, there will be some countries that travellers may be entering that do not have yellow fever infection risk but the individual can cause spread within that country and therefore vaccination is required to prevent this. In such countries, travellers require an international certificate of vaccination or prophylaxis (ICVP).
Not all travel health clinics can start administering Yellow fever vaccinations, as there is stringent control. If you do want to offer YFV as part of your travel health clinic, you will need to register as a YFVC.
Symptoms of mild Yellow Fever
Symptoms of mild yellow fever disease, are similar to that of Malaria and include the following:
Fever
Muscle pain
Headache
Loss of appetite
Nausea/Vomiting
Symptoms of severe Yellow Fever
Most people would either be asymptomatic or have the symptoms listed above. However, a small proportion of people who contract the infection, will develop severe disease. Symptoms of severe disease include:
Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
Dark urine
Stomach pain
Vomiting
Bleeding from the mouth, nose, eyes and ears
Setting up as a Yellow Fever vaccination centre
Registration process details may be found here . You will need to pay an annual or biennial registration fee.
