Yellow fever is a virus found in sub tropical and tropical areas of Africa and South America. An infected mosquito spreads the virus from one person to another through Aedes species mosquito bites. The infection is diagnosed by laboratory testing, symptoms and travel history.
A safe and effective yellow fever vaccine has been available for about 80 years and a single dose provides livelong protection in most cases. The yellow fever vaccination is given to persons of 9months old and above
The best way to prevent yellow fever infection is by getting vaccination before traveling and while in the countries prone to yellow fever, use insect repellent, taking meticulous anti-mosquito bite measures during day time in yellow fever risk areas, treat clothing and gear then wear long sleeved clothes.
Once infected by the mosquito, it takes about 3-6 days for the illness signs and symptoms to come out. Although most people who get infected with yellow fever virus can have no symptoms and mild symptoms, severe disease can occur therefore, it’s advisable for people who get the yellow fever symptoms after traveling to tropical areas to immediately seek medical help.
Some of the yellow fever signs and symptoms include; severe headache, chills, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and weakness. Severe cases can get symptoms like high fever, yellow skin, organ failure, shock and bleeding. Most people with severe illness die of the disease.
Unfortunately there is no medicine for healing yellow fever but you can treat the symptoms, take plenty of fluids, have enough rest, avoid certain medications like aspirin and other nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs.
Yellow fever vaccination in Congo
Before you embark on the journey to the Democratic Republic of Cong, make sure your up to date with your yellow fever vaccination card because it’s a requirement to enter the country. All travelers from 9 months old will be required to present valid yellow fever vaccination certificates.
The vaccination requirement is imposed since the Aedes aegypti is present in the country therefore both you and the locals are prone to getting the disease. Yellow fever vaccination is valid for a period ob ten years.
Incase the yellow fever vaccination is contraindicated for some sort of medical reasons, a vaccination waivers must be issued by your medical practitioner although problems might arise while crossing the border and the medical report might not be honored.
Congo introduced yellow fever vaccination as part of national routine vaccination program in 2003 but low coverage has led to the resurgence of the disease in the country. Six outbreaks erupted between 2010 and 2019.
Featured in: Congo Information
