What Is Yellow Fever And Do You Need A Vaccination Certificate?

If you are travelling this summer, you know how much research goes into planning your trip overseas. The hotel, the flights, the transfers and tours…but don’t forget your travel health vaccinations. 

Yellow fever is just one of the preventable infections that we don’t have in the UK, but you might come into contact with it on your travels. Transmitted by mosquito bites, the resulting infection can be very serious, so it is better to be prepared and have peace of mind. 

What are the symptoms of yellow fever?

After a bite, there is an incubation period of up to six days before the virus causes symptoms.  These can range widely in their severity. Milder symptoms can last up to four days, and can include:

– Muscle pains

– Temperature

– Headaches

– Feeling and being sick

– Loss of appetite

In 15 to 25 per cent of cases, symptoms become more serious, including haemorrhagic fever (bleeding from eyes, ears, mouth and stomach), jaundice and potential kidney failure. In extreme cases, it can lead to vital organs shutting down and be fatal. 

As with most diseases, prevention is infinitely better than cure. 

Where is yellow fever found?

Yellow fever is most common in South American countries such as Guyana, in Central America and in African countries below the Sahara. 

A full list of countries designated by the World Health Organisation where there is a risk of yellow fever can be found on the Yellow Fever Zone website. 

It is not usually seen in Europe, including the UK, or in Asia, New Zealand, Australia or the Pacific Islands.

When is a yellow fever vaccination recommended?

Vaccinations for yellow fever are recommended for anyone over 9 months old travelling to countries where it is prevalent. The vaccination authorised for use in the UK is the Stamaril or Sanofi vaccine, which protects against all strains. 

There are also some countries where a certificate of vaccination, called an ICVP, is required before you enter. This is particularly important if you are travelling from a country with a risk of transmission to a country where yellow fever is not found. 

It is best to check individual country requirements in advance and plan accordingly. A good rule of thumb is to get vaccinated before travelling to an at-risk country and make sure you travel with details of your vaccination for border inspections. 

As with all medicines, it is important to be aware of any side effects and contraindications; however, your travel health clinic will be able to talk you through these.

How can you prevent yellow fever?

The disease is transmitted through mosquito bites; therefore, physical barriers that prevent bites are recommended. Long-sleeved shirts and trousers can be worn in the early mornings and evenings when the insects are most active. 

Using blinds, insect screens and closing doors or windows can also help reduce the potential bites. At night, you may want to employ a mosquito net over your bed as well.

Strong insect repellents can be used directly on your skin with DEET as their active ingredient. This can prevent unwanted attention from other bugs, too. 

Vaccinations for yellow fever are only available for registered centres such as Verulam Pharmacy in St Albans. Get in touch and book your travel clinic appointment to get protected before you fly.