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Caution advised - already dozens of deaths after yellow fever outbreak in Brazil
Only about one year after the Zika epidemic in Brazil, there is currently an accumulation of yellow fever infections in the South American country. It is reported that several dozen people have already died from the dangerous infectious disease. For travelers, vaccination may be useful.
Yellow fever outbreak in Brazil
Only a few months ago, the global Zika emergency was ended. The virus has led to thousands of cases of neonatal cranial malformations (microcephaly), especially in Brazil. Now the South American country is hit by another tropical disease. There are already over 270 suspected yellow fever cases registered.
In Brazil, more and more yellow fever infections are becoming known. The tropical disease has claimed more than 70 deaths. There is a vaccine against mosquito-borne illness. (Image: nechaevkon / fotolia.com) More than 70 dead
The people of Brazil are currently worried about a yellow fever outbreak with several dozen dead. As was the case with the nationwide Zika epidemic around a year ago, the state of Minas Gerais is again particularly affected, reports the news agency dpa.
According to the "Folha de S. Paulo" portal, the Ministry of Health has registered 272 suspected cases of yellow fever in recent weeks. According to this, up to 71 deaths are attributable to the viral infection.
According to the report, 25 of those affected have definitely died from the infection transmitted by the mosquito species Aedes aegypti. This resulted in laboratory tests. Now more than two million additional doses of vaccine should prevent further spread.
Yellow fever in tropical Africa and northern South America
The yellow fever virus is found in tropical areas on both sides of the Atlantic. South America is particularly affected by Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela.
According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), there are up to 200,000 deaths and 60,000 deaths per year worldwide, most of them in African countries.
Against yellow fever is already a long time a vaccine available, which is recommended for many countries or even required at the entry.
Although there is currently no mandatory vaccination for entry into Brazil, "When entering infectious areas, the yellow fever vaccine is often controlled contrary to official regulations. This concerns especially, but not only, land borders. Since 2015, more and more checks have been reported from international airports (such as Sao Paulo), "writes the Center for Travel Medicine (CRM) on its website.
Vaccination advised when traveling in risk areas
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), vaccination against yellow fever when traveling in high-risk areas is strongly advised. "Yellow fever is often fatal and there is no specific therapy," say the experts.
Although there have been few cases of yellow fever in Brazil in recent years, in the humid summer months there is a large spread of Aedes aegypti in the fifth largest country in the world.
These mosquitoes also transmit the Zika virus, which was estimated to have infected up to 1.5 million people in Brazil in the previous year.
The infection numbers have now fallen sharply, which might be related to the fact that once infected are considered immune to renewed Zika infection.
Yellow fever infections are divided into two phases
In people who become infected with the yellow fever virus, 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. However, in some cases a second fever period with bleeding, vomiting and organ damage follows after a short recovery. A typical sign is also the jaundice. Furthermore, it can lead to convulsions and confusion.
In severe cases, up to 50 percent of infections are fatal, with mortality among unvaccinated tourists being higher, health experts say. (Ad)