Yellow fever in Venezuela

15 Oct 2021

On 13 October 2021, the World Health Organization reported that seven people were diagnosed with yellow fever in Monagas State, in the North East of Venezuela between 23-24 September 2021. Six of the seven reported cases had not been vaccinated against yellow fever.

Yellow fever is found in parts of tropical South America, including Venezuela, and is transmitted by infected mosquitoes that bite during the day. The most common symptoms of yellow fever are high temperature (fever), pain in muscles and back, headache, loss of appetite, and nausea or vomiting. A small number of people that become infected with yellow fever can become severely unwell and die.

Advice to travellers

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

• try to avoid mosquito bites at all times

A yellow fever vaccine is available to protect against yellow fever. You may be recommended to be vaccinated if you are visiting a country or area where there is a risk of becoming infected with yellow fever. The vaccine is only available at designated yellow fever centres.

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

Please see the fitfortravel Venezuela country page and  Yellow Fever disease page for more information.