Yellow fever

Yellow fever is a notifiable condition that is endemic in South America, the Caribbean, and Africa. An ongoing outbreak in Brazil has raised the concern of local transmission in other countries, spread by infected returning travelers.

Infection may be asymptomatic or cause a biphasic, highly variable illness ranging from a nonspecific mild febrile illness to a potentially fatal hemorrhagic fever.

Molecular or serologic testing confirms diagnosis in the context of clinical presentation, epidemiologic context, and vaccination history.

As no specific antiviral therapy is available, treatment is supportive. A safe and effective vaccine is available.

A viral hemorrhagic fever caused by a flavivirus transmitted by the Aedes or Haemagogus mosquito. It is endemic in South America, the Caribbean, and Africa, and has been resurging in the last 2 decades.[1]Barnett ED. Yellow fever: epidemiology and prevention. Clin Infect Dis. 2007;44:850-856. http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/44/6/850.full http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17304460?tool=bestpractice.com [2]Monath TP. Yellow fever: an update. Lancet Infect Dis. 2001;1:11-20. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11871403?tool=bestpractice.com The clinical disease is variable, ranging from a nonspecific viral illness to hemorrhagic fever and death.

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