Avoiding Yellow Fever in Brazil

The yellow fever virus is transmitted by female mosquitoes and is endemic in tropical areas. In Brazil, the current outbreak relates to sylvatic (jungle) yellow fever. Local correspondents in Brazil, Proinde P&I, have issued a circular detailing the nature of the virus and how to avoid infection.

Typical symptoms appear after three to six days and include fever, muscle pain, intense headaches, shivers, loss of appetite and nausea. It is reported that about 15% of patients progress into a more toxic phase of the infection, which has symptoms such as high fever, jaundice and abdominal pain with vomiting. Half of the infected people who enter the more severe form of the infection die within a couple of weeks.

Vaccination is the only adequate defence against the yellow fever virus. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the yellow fever vaccine for all travellers to Brazil.

Proinde P&I have issued advice on the additional proactive measures that can be taken to reduce exposure to mosquito bites. These include:

• Try to stay indoors in screened or in air-conditioned rooms with doors and windows closed
• If not in an air-conditioned room, sleep under permethrin-treated bed nets
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers, ideally light-coloured and permethrin-treated covering as much of the body as possible
• Use an suitable insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing as directed on the product label
• Be aware of yellow fever symptoms and seek immediate medical care should signs of the infection develop

The full circular can be read here.

North has previously reported on China’s requirements on vessels calling from areas where there have been outbreaks of yellow fever. This can be read here: /insights/industry-news/china-yellow-fever-requirements/