Yellow Fever Factsheet 📞

Yellow Fever

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Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever is caused by a virus, and it is found in the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa and the Americas.

Transmission

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Transmission
  • Animal to person. It is spread through the bite of a mosquito that carries the virus. 

People are not able to directly spread the virus to other people.

Symptoms

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Symptoms

Symptoms of Yellow Fever can range from mild to severe illness. The time from infection to illness is typically three to six days. Symptoms may include a sudden onset of: 

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Backache
  • Muscle pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting 

Yellow Fever can result in severe liver disease with bleeding and yellowing skin (jaundice) and can cause death

Diagnosis

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Diagnosis

Blood tests, symptoms, and travel history are reviewed to determine if you have been infected with Yellow Fever.

Treatment

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Treatment

Once a person is infected, there is no medicine to treat or cure Yellow Fever. People with Yellow Fever should receive supportive care such as fluids and rest. People with severe symptoms should be hospitalized for close observation.

 

Prevention

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Prevention

Vaccinate to prevent Yellow Fever 

  • Recommended for people aged 9 months and older who are traveling to or living in areas in the Americas or Africa that are at risk for Yellow Fever virus transmission.
    • An International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever is required for travel into certain countries.
      • A medical waiver may be issued by a Yellow Fever provider; however, they may not be accepted by the specific country.
  • A booster dose is no longer required by International Health Regulations.
  • Please see your physician to determine if you need a 10-year booster vaccination.
  • Information about Yellow Fever vaccination requirements and clinics is available at cdc.gov/travel/page/find-clinic. 

Avoid Mosquito bites 

  • Some ways to protect yourself from mosquitos include:
    • Using nets with insecticide on them while sleeping
    • Remaining in areas that are screened to prevent mosquitoes from entering
    • Wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts
    • Using a mosquito repellent 

For additional information about Yellow Fever, contact your health care provider or visit cdc.gov/yellowfever. 

Exclusion Guidance

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Exclusion Guidance
  • Infants younger than 6 months should not be vaccinated for Yellow Fever. 
  • Additionally, those with a severe hypersensitivity to any of the vaccine ingredients (e.g., eggs, egg components, chicken products, gelatin) are advised not to receive it, and those who have had a severe reaction to a previous dose should not be vaccinated again. 
    For additional information about Yellow Fever, 

contact North Dakota Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health at 800.472.2180.

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Resources

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Resources

1.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). CDC Health Information for International Travel 2016. New York: Oxford University Press. 

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, August 11). Travelers’ Health. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/find-clinic 

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, June 2). Yellow Fever Virus. https://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever/ 

4. Gershman, M., & Staples, J. E. (2023, May 1). Yellow Fever: CDC Yellow Book 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/infections-diseases/yellow…;

5. Heymann, D. (2008). Control of Communicable Disease Manual. (20th ed., pp. 683-689).

08/23/24