Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Your government's travel health website can also be helpful:
Australia
(
www.smartraveller.gov.au/tips/travelwell.html
)
Canada
(
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/index.html
)
US
(
www.cdc.gov/travel
)
Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is a life- threatening viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes in forested
areas. The illness begins with flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, headache, muscle
aches, backache, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms usually subside
in a few days, but one person in six enters a second, toxic phase characterized by recurrent
fever, vomiting, listlessness, jaundice, kidney failure and hemorrhage, leading to death in
up to half of the cases. There is no treatment except for supportive care.
Yellow-fever vaccine is strongly recommended for all those visiting areas where yellow
fever occurs, which at time of publication included the departments of Beni, Cochabamba,
Santa Cruz and La Paz. For the latest information on which areas in Bolivia are reporting
yellow fever, see the website of Centers for Disease Control & Protection (CDC;
www.cdc.gov
)
.
Proof of vaccination is required from all travelers arriving from a yellow fever-infected
country in Africa or the Americas.
Yellow-fever vaccine is given only in approved yellow- fever vaccination centers,
which provide validated International Certificates of Vaccination (yellow booklets). The
vaccine should be given at least 10 days before any potential exposure to yellow fever,
and remains effective for approximately 10 years. Reactions to the vaccine are generally
mild and may include headaches, muscle aches, low-grade fevers, or discomfort at the in-
jection site. Severe, life-threatening reactions have been described but are extremely rare.
In general, the risk of becoming ill from the vaccine is far smaller than the risk of becom-
ing ill from yellow fever, and you're strongly encouraged to get the vaccine.
Taking measures to protect yourself from mosquito bites is an essential part of prevent-
ing yellow fever.
