Yellow Fever: Facts you need to know for safe African Safaris.

People on African safaris frequently ask us about yellow fever. Here are all the yellow fever information you need to know to stay safe while on an African safari.

Describe Yellow Fever.
Mosquitoes carry the tropical sickness known as yellow fever. It is typically not severe and can be found in some parts of South America, central Africa, and west Africa. Only a tiny percentage of cases have the potential to worsen and result in death.

Reducing the risk of yellow fever transmission requires immunization against the disease as well as non-pharmacological interventions. It’s crucial to keep in mind that certain nations, such as South Africa and Botswana, demand documentation of a yellow fever vaccination from visitors arriving from or transiting through nations where the disease is endemic during the previous six months.

The majority of the nations that Monumental Expeditions and Safaris visit—such as South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe—do not have endemic yellow fever. The western half of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia are the destinations that Monumental Expeditions and Safaris visits and where vaccinations and safety measures are necessary. Some areas of Zambia, Tanzania, and the eastern half of Kenya might need vaccine.

Well in ahead of your journey, find out what each of the nations you’ll be visiting need! Additionally, ask your doctor about the safety of traveling to a yellow fever area and getting vaccinated if you have any underlying medical concerns.

Danger to Passengers

Only 10 cases of yellow fever were documented in unvaccinated travelers from the USA and Europe between 1970 and 2013, according to the CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, USA). Five of these came from people who traveled to South America, while the other five were from people who traveled to West Africa. Only one non-fatal instance involving a vaccinated traveler has been documented.

Season, duration of stay, locations visited, and vaccination status are some of the variables that affect the risk of yellow fever.

Yellow Fever Transmission

Humans and primates are the two hosts of yellow fever, which is spread by mosquitos. Three cycles are involved:

Jungle Cycle: in forested settings, the virus spreads from primates (monkeys) to mosquitoes and subsequently to people.
Savannah Cycle: human-to-human (by mosquito) or mosquito-to-human transmission in jungle border areas
Urban Cycle: human-to-human transmission in urban areas through mosquitoes

Symptoms of Yellow Fever

Yellow fever initially manifests as a flu-like illness, with fever, chills, headache, nausea, and/or vomiting. Since these early signs resemble those of malaria, if you have visited regions where either or both diseases are endemic, make sure to notify your doctor right once if you experience any of these symptoms.

The majority of patients improve with symptomatic treatment, however 15% of individuals advance to the more severe type following a temporary remission. Jaundice (thus the name), hemorrhage, shock, and eventually organ failure are the initial symptoms of this type. Medical assistance is necessary.

Areas & Countries Affected by Yellow Fever

According to the CDC map above, yellow fever is prevalent throughout a sizable portion of South America, central and western Africa, and some regions of East Africa. The western half of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia are the destinations that Monumental Expeditions and Safaris visits and where vaccinations and safety measures are necessary.

Tanzania, sections of Zambia, and the eastern half of Kenya are lower-risk locations that might need vaccine.

Important: Travel Requires Certification

It’s crucial to keep in mind that certain nations, such as South Africa and Botswana, demand documentation of a yellow fever vaccination from visitors arriving from or transiting through nations where the disease is endemic during the previous six months.

Check the map once more. You will require confirmation of vaccination to enter countries like Ghana or Brazil if you are stopping there on your way to South Africa. In order to give time for vaccinations, check all of the countries you will be visiting or transiting (Africa above; South America below) or have transited within the last six months.

Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia all have yellow fever.

Yellow Fever Treatment

Yellow fever can only be treated symptomatically and supportively; there is no specific cure.

How to Avoid Yellow Fever
Non-pharmacological methods

Avoiding mosquito bites in regions where yellow fever is common is the most crucial prophylactic approach. You may reduce your exposure to mozzies by taking a few easy steps:

Sleep beneath a mosquito net.
Wear long sleeves and long pants to protect yourself between dusk and dawn.
Apply permethrin on clothing.
Apply insect repellents topically.
Vaccine against Yellow Fever for Travel to Africa
Vaccine for US Army Corps of Engineers Travel in Africa
Additionally, getting vaccinated against yellow fever is necessary in order to enter nations where the disease is prevalent. As previously said, it’s crucial to keep in mind that certain nations, such as South Africa and Botswana, need documentation of a yellow fever vaccination from visitors arriving from or transiting through nations where the disease is widespread during the previous six months.

You can get the one-time injection of the immunization from your neighborhood travel clinic. Make sure to receive your immunization well in advance of your trip, as most people develop immunity within 10 days of receiving it. Immunity endures for at least ten years, if not forever.

Some nations are removing the requirement for a 10-year booster shot in order to prevent yellow fever, but others are not. Verify the regulations for the nations you plan to visit.

Vaccination contraindications

Yellow fever vaccine is not recommended in a number of circumstances. Avoid going to an area where yellow fever is endemic if the vaccine is contraindicated. Obtaining a medical waiver is necessary if travel cannot be avoided.

The following are a few circumstances where the immunization is not recommended:

Babies under six months old
Prior hypersensitivity to the vaccination or any of its ingredients (including those who are allergic to eggs)
Immune state changes (e.g., thymus disease; HIV, if CD4 < 200; those using immunosuppressive medications, such as after transplantation)
Precautions
Young Infants (ages 6 to 8 months)

Although the vaccination is not recommended for infants younger than six months, children aged six to eight months should be vaccinated cautiously, only if travel is absolutely necessary, and then after balancing the risks and potential side effects.

Elderly Passengers

Additionally, those over 60 are more likely to experience negative vaccination reactions. Once more, the choice to get vaccinated must be made after considering the advantages and disadvantages of traveling to regions where yellow fever is inevitable.

Others

Before getting vaccinated or requesting a medical waiver, you should carefully consider the risks and benefits of a variety of additional conditions with your doctor. These consist of

Infection with HIV (CD4 > 200)
Chronic illnesses like hepatic or renal disease Pregnancy Breastfeeding