What is the Yellow Fever Virus?
The yellow fever occurs in tropical parts of South America and Africa (see maps on attached links). It is passed on to humans through bites from mosquitos that are carrying the disease. The yellow fever virus begins suddenly after an incubation period of around 3 to 5 days in the human body. The symptoms of yellow fever can be severe, ranigng from fever, nausea, vomiting, constipation, back pains and rapid heart beat, jaundice of the skin is very common. The severity of the illness can vary from flu like illness to sever illness and death. Although most cases occur in the countryside, it can also occur in cities, particularly in parts of West Africa. The World Health Organization estimates that 200,000 cases occur each year. For a map of Yellow Fever endemic areas please click on the following link: http://www.nathnac.org/pro/factsheets/yellow.htm#epi Between January – May 1998 there have been changes to yellow fever areas in South America. For a copy of the updated South American Map
