Yellow Fever in Argentina

Updated:  March 17, 2008

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is monitoring an outbreak of yellow fever in Argentina.  Due to the re-emergence of yellow fever in this country and neighbouring countries, PHAC recommends yellow fever vaccination and protection against mosquito bites to travellers going to Argentina, specifically to:

• The Provinces of Misiones and Formosa;
• Department within the Province of Chaco:  Bermejo;
• Departments within the Province of Corrientes:  Beron de Astrada, Capital, General Alvear, General Paz, Ituzaingo, Itati, Paso de los Libres, San Cosme, San Miguel, San Martin, and Santo Tome;
• Departments within the Province of Jujuy:  Valle Grande, Ledesma, Santa Barbara and San Pedro; and,
• Departments within the Province of Salta:  General Jose de San Martin, Oran, Rivadavia and Anta.  

In January 2008, the Ministry of Health of Argentina reported finding 17 dead monkeys in Piñalito Park, San Pedro Department, Misiones Province.  In February 2008, yellow fever was confirmed in one of the monkeys.  As of March 3rd, there was a confirmed case of yellow fever in a person from the Province of Misiones. Other suspect human cases are under investigation.

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is a serious viral infection of short duration and varying severity. It is caused by a virus that is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected day-time biting mosquito. Symptoms take three to six days to appear and include sudden onset of fever with chills, headache, muscle pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, yellow fever can lead to shock, bleeding, organ failure, jaundice (i.e., yellowing of skin and eyes) and death.

For additional information on Yellow Fever, see PHAC's Disease Information Backgrounder: Yellow Fever.

Recommendations for Travellers

1. PHAC recommends the following personal-protective measures to avoid mosquito bites:  
   • When indoors, remain in well-screened or completely enclosed, air-conditioned areas;
   • Wear light-coloured clothing with full-length pant legs and sleeves;
   • Use mosquito netting treated with insecticide, especially to protect babies under six months while in playpens, cribs or strollers; and,
   • Use insect repellent on exposed skin, specifically:
     • do not apply to cuts, abrasions or irritated skin
     • do not spray directly on the face and wash hands after application to avoid contact with lips and eyes
     • DEET and sunscreen combination products are not generally recommended.  If application of both is required, apply the sunscreen first and let it soak into the skin for about 20 minutes before applying DEET.

   For more detailed information on protecting yourself and your family against mosquito bites, refer to Statement on Personal Protective Measures to Prevent Arthropod Bites - Update.

2. Get vaccinated – it is the single most important measure for preventing yellow fever!

   The single-dose vaccine against yellow fever is safe, effective and recommended for individuals nine months of age and older. There may be some people for whom the vaccine is not recommended (e.g. pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems). See your personal physician or travel clinic to determine if the vaccine is right for you. The vaccine becomes protective after 10 days, and provides immunity for 10 years or more. In Canada, the vaccination is available only at designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres.

As a reminder…

PHAC strongly recommends that Canadian travellers consult their personal physicians or a travel clinic at least six weeks prior to international travel, regardless of destination, for an individual risk assessment to determine each of their individual health risks and their needs for vaccination, preventative medications, and personal protective measures.

PHAC recommends, as well, that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada should seek a medical assessment with their personal physicians. Travellers should inform their physicians, without being asked, that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada, and where they have been.

Additional information:

• World Health Organization – Yellow Fever

• Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Travel Report on Argentina