TravelVAX Vaccinations Clinic
YELLOW FEVER
FACT
Yellow Fever:
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Refers to jaundice that affects some patients.
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Is endemic and intermittently epidemic in parts of Africa and South America.
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Is unique among communicable disease because the International Health Regulation (IHR) govern the control of yellow fever.
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The IHR outlined the requirements for proof of vaccination against yellow fever when traveling to specific countries.
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20-50% of people who experience a severe case may die as a result.
VECTOR
Bite from an mosquito, primarily Aedes or Haemagogus species
UP TO 170,000 SEVERE CASES
Based on a modeling study, up to 170,000 severe cases. Worldwide (estimated in 2013).
SYMPTOMS
Fever, muscle pain with prominent backache, headache, chills, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting.
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​Most patients improve after the initial presentation. After a brief remission of hours to a day, approximately 15% of patients progress to a more serious toxic form of a disease.
SEVERE CASE:
High Fever, with the liver and kidneys affected, jaundice, dark urine, abdominal pain with vomiting, bleeding from the mouth, nose, eyes or stomach, and eventually shock and multisystem organ failure.
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​Precautions against yellow fever, including avoiding mosquito bites and vaccination, should be considered:
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Vaccination.
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Vaccination certification may be required depending on destination.
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Take preventive measures when mosquitoes are most active (during daylight hours).
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All diagnoses of yellow fever made in Canada are required to be reported to public health authorities.
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Use a recommend insect repellent containing either Picaridin (20%) or DEET.
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Wear appropriate clothing (e.g. long-sleeved shirt, long pants).
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Use physical barriers, such as bed nets and window screens.
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​Infected patients should be protected from further mosquito exposure during the first few days of illness to avoid contributing to the transmission cycle.