Yellow Fever Travel Advice

Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne virus that’s present in parts of Africa and South America. Unlike several other mosquito-borne infections, travelers can get vaccines to protect themselves against yellow fever.

As seasoned travelers know, proof of yellow fever vaccination is necessary to enter certain countries to help prevent it from entering or spreading in the population. Are you planning a trip or concerned about yellow fever? Keep reading to find out how to prevent this travel-related illness.

In this article, we’ll look at what yellow fever is, who’s at the highest risk, and how you can best prepare for traveling to an area with the virus. Be sure to check out our article on the 14 Most Common Diseases to Watch Out for When Traveling Abroad for a brief overview of each disease.

What is Yellow Fever?

Yellow fever is a disease caused by bites from infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The virus gets its name from the yellow color your skin gets upon infection, which is known as jaundice. Some of those infected with yellow fever develop a serious illness that can result in:

• Bleeding
• Shock
• Organ failure
• Death

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 200,000 cases of yellow fever every year. Most of these cases occur in Africa, making it imperative to get vaccinated before traveling to the continent.

Commons Yellow Fever Symptoms 

Many people who contract yellow fever never display any symptoms. Those with mild symptoms may experience chills, headaches, vomiting, or fever. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 7 people who display symptoms will develop a severe case of the disease.

In severe cases, bleeding, jaundice, shock, high fevers, and organ failure can occur. It’s crucial to seek medical help immediately if you develop any of the aforementioned symptoms while in an area with yellow fever.

Is Yellow Fever Contagious?

You can’t spread yellow fever to another human if you have it. For example, through kissing or coughing. However, a mosquito can bite an infected human and then infect someone else.

How Does It Spread? 

Specific types of mosquitoes found in South America and Africa can spread yellow fever. The infection spreads when a person is bitten by an infected mosquito.

Research indicates that most yellow fever outbreaks begin with mosquitoes spreading the infection to monkeys and other primates. Other mosquitoes spread the virus from the primates to humans in cities and other environments. From there, they can transmit infection between humans via bites.

While many cities and towns in areas with yellow fever regularly fog to deter or kill off mosquitoes, these efforts don’t offer complete protection. Vaccinations are therefore recommended for regions where yellow fever may be present.

Common Treatments for Yellow Fever

There is currently no treatment or medicine available for yellow fever, making it imperative to protect yourself from mosquitoes and get the vaccine. Those infected by the disease may need to alleviate pain and treat symptoms (e.g. fever, headache).

Your healthcare provider may tell you to get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids to help your body recover. If you choose to take pain relief medication, steer clear of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and others that cause bleeding.

Hospitalization is necessary for severe cases, as the patient needs to be under close observation and receive adequate care. Between 30-60% of those who develop severe symptoms die from yellow fever.

Where Can I Get Yellow Fever While Traveling? 

The yellow fever virus is still active in South America and Africa. It is mainly carried by Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes. The Haemagogus mosquito is typically found in Central and South America, with several yellow fever epidemics in those regions tracing back to the mosquito.

Similarly, Aedes mosquitoes are found all over the world and carry the majority of mosquito-borne infections aside from yellow fever. The two most common subspecies of the Aedes mosquito cause yellow fever, as well as dengue fever, Zika virus, and other infections.

Are There Yellow Fever Travel Restrictions?

There are no travel restrictions in place due to yellow fever. However, it’s strongly advisable for all travelers to be vaccinated for yellow fever when traveling to or from a high-risk country.

Yellow Fever Travel Vaccine

Yellow fever vaccines can help prevent the international spread of the disease as well as protect individual travelers from exposure to the virus. Vaccines can help reduce the risk of bringing the yellow fever virus into the country, as well as spreading it among the population.

Since yellow fever can be fatal without vaccination, it’s advisable for all travelers (with some exceptions) to get vaccinated before visiting areas where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission. Before receiving the yellow fever vaccine, you’ll go through an individual risk assessment.

Who Should Get the Yellow Fever Vaccine?

It’s recommended for people from 9 months of age to get the yellow fever vaccine when traveling to an area where yellow fever is present, including Central America, South America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Trinidad in the Caribbean.

You should also have the vaccine if you’re traveling to a country that requires an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) that proves you’re protected against yellow fever. Be sure to get vaccinated at least 10 days before your trip to provide enough time for it to work.

If a 4-week gap between doses is not possible, it’s best to receive an additional MMR dose at a later date along with the initial yellow fever vaccine. Re-vaccination with the yellow vaccine is an option for individuals with ongoing risk.

How to Avoid Yellow Fever While Traveling Abroad

The best thing you can do to protect yourself from yellow fever when traveling abroad is to get the yellow fever vaccine and prevent mosquito bites as much as possible, such as by using insect repellents and wearing long-sleeved clothing.

It’s also important to keep mosquitoes outside of your hotel room or lodging by choosing accommodation with air conditioning, or window and door screens at a minimum. If you can’t stay in a place with adequate protection from mosquitoes (or are sleeping outside), sleep under a mosquito net.

But what if a mosquito bites me, you may be wondering. If that’s the case, don’t scratch the bite(s), and apply over-the-counter antihistamine or anti-itch cream (e.g. hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion) to alleviate itching.

What Happens if a Tourist Gets Sick Abroad with Yellow Fever? 

The International Health Regulations (IHR) strongly advises travelers to receive a yellow fever vaccine a minimum of 10 days before traveling to areas where yellow fever is endemic, including Central and South America.

According to the IHR, countries can require travelers to provide proof of yellow fever vaccination. So what do you do if you get sick with yellow fever while traveling? If you’re traveling to a region where yellow fever exists, it may be necessary to have a healthcare provider determine your health status.

If your healthcare provider suspects you have yellow fever, they’ll usually run a test on your blood serum to detect yellow fever virus-specific markers. However, the test may not detect anything in the early stages, which can be frustrating when you’re trying to figure out what’s wrong.

Since it’s possible to contract the yellow fever virus during your travels, ensure your medical insurance coverage is adequate before going on your trip. International health insurance offers coverage for serious travelers and expats, while travel insurance is a must for those making shorter trips.

Conclusion 

Yellow fever is a viral disease that’s spread by mosquito bites and exists in parts of Africa and Central and South America. Even though it can be fatal, travelers can prevent it by getting the yellow fever vaccine.

Protective clothing and mosquito repellent can also deter mosquitoes from biting. If you experience fever, body aches, or other yellow fever-related symptoms and have been to an area with a history of yellow fever outbreaks, contact your medical provider.

Whether you only travel once in a while or all the time, it helps to know the most common diseases to watch out for when traveling abroad. Now that you’re more familiar with yellow fever, read our article on travel advice for the chikungunya virus next.

No matter your destination, be sure to secure a health insurance plan that meets your needs. We’re here to help you find the best coverage for your needs and budget and are happy to offer impartial insurance advice to guide you along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are the dos and don’ts when it comes to yellow fever?

Since mosquitoes can bite during the day or night, the best way to prevent infection is to protect yourself from bites by wearing proper clothing, using insect repellent, and getting vaccinated. Don’t forget to close windows at night and go for routine health checkups.

When can I travel after getting the yellow fever vaccination?

It’s best to get the vaccine at least 10 days before your trip since proof of vaccination won’t be valid until then, as it takes time for the body to develop immunity to the yellow fever virus.

What are yellow fever guidelines?

It’s advisable for anyone who is 9 months old or older and who is traveling to or residing in areas at risk of the virus in the Americas and Africa. A single dose of the vaccine typically offers long-lasting protection for most individuals, and a booster dose isn’t always necessary.

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Jantra Jacobs

Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime

Jantra Jacobs is a Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime with over 10 years of writing and editing experience. She writes and edits a diverse variety of online and offline copy, including sales and marketing materials ranging from articles and advertising copy to reports, guides, RFPs, and more.

Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.

Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.

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