WHO currently recommends yellow fever vaccination when traveling to Brazil

World Health Organization (WHO) advises on yellow fever vaccination on Brazil trips
The World Health Organization has issued an appropriate vaccination recommendation for travelers, in view of the recent yellow fever outbreak in Brazil, affecting many regions of the country - including Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. According to the Center for Travel Medicine (CRM), Brazil's health authorities have been investigating around 2,000 suspected cases of yellow fever infection and 282 deaths since the beginning of the year. 574 infections were confirmed.

Currently running in Brazil, the largest yellow fever outbreak of the last 30 years and the authorities have launched a corresponding vaccination campaigns, reports the CRM. At present, given the risk, vaccination is also recommended for all travelers. In addition to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, the WHO has therefore also included the state of Bahia in its current recommendation.

The number of yellow fever infections in Brazil has risen significantly since April, and WHO has extended its vaccination recommendations accordingly. The disease is transmitted mostly by mosquitoes. (Image: nechaevkon / fotolia.com)

Spread of infections since the beginning of April
Since the beginning of April, the yellow fever virus transmission has expanded towards the Atlantic coast of Brazil, reports the WHO. This also affects areas that were initially not included in risk mapping by the scientific and technical advisory group. For example, yellow fever virus infections have occurred in the state of Bahia along the northern coastal area and near the urban area of ​​Campinas in the state of São Paulo.

Several states affected by yellow fever outbreak
Also, new cases were reported from the urban area of ​​Rio de Janeiro and Niterói. "These reports are consistent with the increased levels of yellow fever activity reported in the southern areas of the state of Bahia and Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais," according to the WHO statement. Travelers should be advised of a benefit-risk balance if they plan to stay in affected regions. For which regions the yellow fever vaccination recommendation applies, the WHO has set out in detail in their current report.

Do not underestimate risk
The risk of yellow fever infection should not be underestimated by Brazil travelers, even if the disease is initially often harmless and symptoms such as fever, headache, back pain, nausea and vomiting occur only for a few days. Critical is the second phase of the disease, which follows in some individuals after a temporary remission of symptoms and is accompanied by, among other things with renewed fever, increased liver damage and bleeding from the mucous membranes in the mouth, nose and gastrointestinal tract. Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract can also result in bloody bowel movements and bloody vomiting. The second phase of the disease is often fatal. (Fp)