Yellow Fever in the Americas (Brazil) (Peru) (Colombia) (Update)
15 Dec 2016
On the 14 December 2016 the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) published an epidemiological update on Yellow Fever virus (YFV) in the Americas
In 2016 Brazil, Colombia, and Peru have reported YFV cases between January and November 2016.
Peru
Peru has reported 82 YFV cases (66 confirmed and 16 probable) between January and mid-November 2016. Cases have been reported in 9 of Peru’s 25 departments, with the department of Junin reporting most of confirmed and probable cases (54 cases). The number of confirmed and probable cases reported in Peru between January and mid-November 2016 (82 cases), exceeds the number of cases (confirmed and probable) reported in the previous nine years. A total of 26 deaths have been attributed to YFV in 2016.
Brazil
Between January and late November 2016 five human cases of jungle yellow fever were confirmed in Brazil. Details regarding how many these YFV cases were confirmed or probable where omitted from the WHO report.
Colombia
Colombia has reported a total of 12 YFV cases (7 laboratory confirmed and 5 probable) between January and late November 2016. The confirmed cases were reported by the departments of Antioquia, Amazonas, Meta, Vaupés, and Vichada. The 7 confirmed cases are all male, of which six died.
Advice to travellers
A traveller's risk of yellow fever is determined by their general risk assessment e.g. country visited, length of stay, city or rural, activities etc.
Mosquito bite avoidance rules should be adhered to - the mosquito that spreads yellow fever bites predominantly during the day.
Yellow fever vaccine should be considered for travellers at risk.