Yellow Fever: Still No Known Cure!

Yellow fever is one of the many diseases that are transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. For those who travel from America to the southern countries, the likelihood of contracting this disease is very strong. This is why government health agencies and doctors advise their travelling patients and those who reside in these countries to get a shot to prevent this dangerous illness. Taking these precautions is so important because there is still no medical treatment available if you are unfortunate enough to contract the illness. Getting the appropriate inoculation along with using mosquito repellents and netting are avoidance measures that travellers need to take.

How would a person know if he/she had the disease?

Yellow fever symptoms first appear within 3 to 6 days after being bitten by an infected female mosquito. They are mild at first, but as the disease progresses the symptoms include:

• Fever,
• Jaundice (a yellowish color of the skin),
• Nausea,
• Vomiting,
• Headache and
• Total exhaustion or weakness
• Collapse

Severe cases of the disease can result in:

• Death
• Haemorrhage
• Kidney failure
• Liver failure

What are the odds of someone actually dieing?

The death rate associated with this illness is as high as 60% in people who have not had any vaccinations. The vaccine is almost 100% effective in preventing a person from getting this disease, but you have to be revaccinated every ten years. Infants who are less than four months old cannot be vaccinated therefore, other precautionary measures must be taken to ensure their safety.

What countries are most likely to have mosquitoes that carry the fever?

The cases of the disease are confined to the Southern Hemisphere, but no cases have ever been reported in Australia or Asia, even though the mosquito that carries this illness is found in these parts of the world as well. The areas that are most affected are South America and Africa. The regulations are so strict concerning the spread of this disease, that many countries in Asia will not permit people from infected countries to enter if they do not have a vaccination certificate. Other countries will only permit entry if travellers agree to be vaccinated at the border.

For more information please visit the CDC Yellow Fever Home Page.