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:
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 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.
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.
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.
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.