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Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever illustration

What is yellow fever?

A dangerous virus which infects travellers in Africa and South America through mosquito bites. Can cause muscle pain, headaches, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting and occasionally death.

Yellow Fever illustration

Risk areas for Yellow Fever

Map of risk areas for Yellow Fever
  • Key fact

    A small number of people develop severe symptoms, approximately half of which die as a result within 7 to 10 days.1

  • How do you get yellow fever?

    When bitten by mosquitoes carrying the virus.1

  • Which countries are affected by yellow fever?

    Most countries in Africa and South America (see map).2

  • What are the symptoms of yellow fever?

    Symptoms usually start after 3 to 6 days and last for 3-4 days.1 Not everyone experiences symptoms, but those that do can have a fever, muscle pain with backache, headache, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting.1

  • How serious is yellow fever?

    In a small number of people the disease turns toxic within 24 hours of recovering from initial symptoms, becoming serious or even fatal, affecting the liver and kidneys. People may also experience jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, abdominal pain with vomiting, and bleeding from the mouth, nose, eyes or stomach.1

  • Can I prevent getting yellow fever?

    You can take the following precautions to help reduce your risk of infection:

    • Visit your nearest convenient pharmacy or specialist travel health clinic for a risk assessment before your trip
    • Use a recommended insect repellent containing either Picaridin, DEET, PMD or OLE (oil of lemon eucalyptus), IR3535 or 2-undecanone3
    • Wear appropriate clothing (e.g loose fitting long-sleeved clothes, long trousers, socks and shoes) to minimise exposed skin4,5
    • Use insecticide-treated mosquito nets if you are sleeping or resting in accommodation that is not air-conditioned or sleeping outdoors during the day or night4

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References
  1. World Health Organization. Fact sheets. Yellow Fever. May 2019. Available online: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/yellow-fever (Last accessed May 2023)
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yellow Book 2024. Section 5 Travel-Associated Infections & Diseases. Yellow Fever. May 2023. Available online: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/infections-diseases/yellow-fever (Last accessed May 2023)
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yellow Book 2024. Section 4 Environmental Hazards & Risks. Mosquitoes, Ticks & Other Arthropods. May 2023. Available online: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/environmental-hazards-risks/mosquitoes-ticks-and-other-arthropods (Last accessed May 2023)
  4. Public Health England. Mosquito bite avoidance for travellers. January 2023. Available online: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mosquito-bite-avoidance-for-travellers (Last accessed May 2023)
  5. Fit for Travel. General Travel Health Advice. Mosquito Bite Avoidance. Available online: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/malaria/mosquito-bite-avoidance (Last accessed May 2023)

UK-BOTB-2100029 (v2.0) May 2023