Yellow fever in Africa

06 Jan 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports continued transmission of yellow fever in Africa.

From 1 January 2021 to 7 December 2022, 455 cases with 40 deaths were reported to WHO from 13 countries. 

The affected countries are:

Cameroon: 54 cases 

Central African Republic: 29 cases (4 deaths)

Chad: 61 cases (7 deaths)

Cote d'Ivoire: 33 cases 

Republic of the Congo: 71 cases 

Democratic Republic of the Congo: 16 (1 death) 

Gabon: 1 case

Ghana: 137 cases (21 deaths)

Kenya: 13 cases (5 deaths)

Niger: 6 cases (2 deaths)

Nigeria: 31 cases 

Sierra Leone: 1 case 

Uganda: 2 cases 

Yellow fever is a disease that is transmitted by infected mosquitoes that bite during the day. The most common symptoms are fever, muscle pain with prominent obvious backache, headache, loss of appetite, and feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting). A small proportion of people that become infected can become severely unwell and die.

Advice to travellers

If you are visiting an area where yellow fever is present you should:

• use personal protective measures to avoid mosquito bites at all times

A yellow fever vaccine is available to protect you against yellow fever. Vaccination is recommended if you are visiting areas where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission. The vaccine is only available at designated yellow fever centres.

• Locate your nearest yellow fever vaccination centre in Scotland
• Locate your nearest yellow fever vaccination centre in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Detailed guidance can be found on fitfortravel advice page on Yellow Fever.