Yellow Fever in Côte d'ivoire

Released: September 19, 2008

• Travel Health Notice
• About Yellow Fever
• Recommendations to Travelers
• Monitor Your Health
• As a reminder...
• Additional information

Travel Health Notice

The Ministry of Health of Côte D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) has recently reported an outbreak of yellow fever in and around the city of Abidjan. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) recommends that travellers get vaccinated against yellow fever and protect themselves from mosquito bites when going to this country.

Yellow fever in Côte d'Ivoire is always a risk; however, the risk is likely higher at this time due to the current outbreak in an urban centre.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is a serious viral infection that is spread to humans through mosquito bites.  

Symptoms

• Can take 3 to 6 days to appear
• Usually include sudden onset of fever with chills, headache, muscle pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting
• In more severe cases, yellow fever can lead to shock, bleeding, organ failure, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) and death

Transmission

• Yellow fever is spread to humans when bitten by an infected mosquito
• The risk is highest during the daytime
• For additional information on yellow fever, see PHAC's Yellow Fever Disease Information Backgrounder

Recommendations for travellers

Get vaccinated against yellow fever

• It is a single-dose vaccine
• Recommended for individuals 9 months of age and older
• Not recommended for those who are under 9 months of age, pregnant or have a weak immune system
  • Persons for whom the vaccine in not recommended need to strongly consider whether or not to travel to an area at risk of yellow fever transmission
• The vaccine becomes protective only after 10 days and provides protection for 10 years.
• Proof of vaccination against yellow fever is required from all travellers aged 1 year and over when going to Côte D'Ivoire.

In Canada, the vaccine and proof of vaccination (certificate) is available at designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres.

PHAC recommends the following personal-protective measures to avoid mosquito bites: 

• Apply insect repellent to exposed skin. Use DEET-based products.  Remember to apply carefully:
  • Do not apply to cuts, abrasions or irritated skin
  • Do not spray repellent directly on the face
  • Wash hands after application, to avoid contact with lips and eyes; and,
  • Do not use DEET and sunscreen combination products.  If application of sunscreen and DEET is required, apply the sunscreen first and let it soak into the skin for about 20 minutes before applying DEET.
• Cover up. The less exposed skin you have, the less likely you are to be bitten. Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Use mosquito netting treated with insecticide.  This should be considered especially
  • when sleeping at night to protect against diseases spread by evening-night time biting mosquitoes
  • in playpens, cribs or strollers to protect infants and children to protect against diseases spread by infected day-time biting mosquitoes
• Consider your accommodations. When possible, remain in well-screened or completely enclosed air conditioned areas.

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

Monitor your health

PHAC advises travellers to seek medical attention immediately if they develop a fever after visiting Côte D'Ivoire.

As a reminder…

PHAC strongly recommends that:

• You consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic ideally at least 6 weeks prior to international travel, regardless of your destination.  This will allow you to:
  • Understand your health risks
  • Learn personal preventative measures you may need while travelling
  • Know what vaccines to get and when to get them

If you get sick while travelling or become sick after returning to Canada

• Inform your health care provider of your symptoms
• Without being asked, tell him/her where you have been and what, if any, treatment or medical care you have received while travelling (e.g., blood transfusions, injections, dental care, and surgery)

Additional information:

• WHO Outbreak News Information on the yellow fever outbreak

• Know before you go! General travel health advice 

• Immunizations Recommended for Travel Outside of Canada
  If you are planning to travel outside of Canada, you may require immunizations, depending on your travel destination, the length of your stay and whether or not your routine immunizations are up-to-date.