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Experts recommend vaccinate against Brazil fever against yellow fever
After the Zika epidemic in Brazil, there is currently an accumulation of yellow fever infections in the South American country. Nationwide, more than 260 deaths from the dangerous infectious disease have been recorded. For travelers a vaccination is recommended.
Yellow fever outbreak in Brazil
Only about half a year ago, the global Zika emergency has ended. The virus has led to thousands of cases of neonatal cranial malformations (microcephaly). Especially affected was Brazil. Now the South American country is plagued by another tropical disease: More than 260 yellow fever deaths have been recorded nationwide. Traveler is recommended a vaccination.
In Brazil, more and more yellow fever infections are becoming known. Health experts recommend travelers get vaccinated. (Image: nechaevkon / fotolia.com) Experts recommend travelers vaccination
According to the Center for Travel Medicine (CRM) in Dusseldorf, the health authorities of seven states in Brazil have reported 1,561 suspected cases of yellow fever and 264 deaths since the beginning of January. 448 infections were confirmed.
The state of Minas Gerais is hit the hardest, but there are also illnesses in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo.
"It's the biggest outbreak in the last 30 years," writes the CRM. And: "At present a vaccination is recommended for all travelers."
However, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends vaccination only when traveling to the actual distribution areas. Exempted are, for example, the city centers of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), vaccination against yellow fever when traveling in high-risk areas is strongly recommended. "Yellow fever is often fatal and there is no specific therapy," say the experts.
Spread in tropical regions
The infectious disease occurs in tropical areas on both sides of the Atlantic and is transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti. South America is particularly affected by Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela.
WHO estimates that there are up to 200,000 deaths and 60,000 deaths per year worldwide, most of them in African countries.
In cases of infection, general symptoms of illness such as fever, headache and nausea first appear after an incubation period of three to six days.
Most patients recover afterwards. In some cases, after a short improvement, however, a second fever period with bleeding, vomiting and organ damage follows. A typical sign is also the jaundice. Furthermore, it can lead to convulsions and confusion.
In severe cases, up to 50 percent of infections can be fatal. (Ad)