Yellow Fever in the Americas (Brazil) (Peru) (Colombia) (Update)
15 Nov 2016
On the 9 November 2016 the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) published an epidemiological update on Yellow Fever virus (YFV) in the Americas
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In 2016 Brazil, Colombia, and Peru have reported YFV cases between January and October 2016.
Peru
Peru has reported 75 YFV cases (62 confirmed and 13 probable) between January and mid-October 2016. Cases have been reported in 9 pf Peru’s 25 departments, with the department of Junin reporting most of confirmed and probable cases (50 cases). The number of confirmed and probable cases reported in Peru between January and mid-October 2016 (75 cases), exceeds the number of cases (confirmed and probable) reported in the previous nine years.
Brazil
Brazil has reported 2 locally acquired YFV cases and one imported from Angola between January and late-October 2016. The locally acquired YFV cases were reported in Bady Bassit in São Paulo state and in the state of Goiás.
Colombia
Colombia has reported a total of 12 YFV cases (6 laboratory-confirmed and 6 probable) between January and late October 2016. The confirmed cases were reported by the departments of Antioquia, Amazonas, Meta, Vaupés, and Vichada. The confirmed YFV case in the department of Vaupés is the first documented case in that department. Five out of the six confirmed YFV cases died (case fatality rate 83.3%). All of the confirmed cases were male.
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.