Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is caused by infection by a virus of the Flavivirus family (similar to those that cause dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis, described above) spread by the bite of a mosquito. It mainly occurs in Africa and South America. Following infection by the bite the virus spreads and affects the liver (which is why the patient turns yellow) so that there is reduction in the clotting factors and the patient bleeds. There is kidney failure and up to 50 per cent of people die. There is no treatment other than supportive measures. There is however an extremely effective vaccine using a weakened version of the virus (called live attenuated vaccine) which has been grown in chicken embryos. The single injection confers immunity for 10 years, after which it needs to be repeated. Those wishing to travel to areas of the world where yellow fever is present may need to provide proof of immunity.
 
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