CDC Strengthens Urges for Yellow Fever Vaccination if Traveling to Brazil

The Lexington Herald Leader reports that US health officials’ continue to urge you postpone any travels to Brazil until you are properly vaccinated. Ten recent tourists have fallen ill to Yellow fever during their trips to Brazil. None were vaccinated. When it comes to yellow fever, many of those that contract the disease will be unaware they even have it. However, 15% that do can become very sick. Of those, 60% will die.

What Is Making This Outbreak Different?

Yellow Fever isn’t new to Brazil, but more often it has stayed in the outlying regions and forested areas. It’s been more of a danger to the monkeys than the humans. However this time it appears to be moving into the cities. Rio, Sao Paulo, and Ilha Grande are all reporting more cases of Yellow Fever. The fact that these are hot tourist spots has the CDC concerned and pushing harder for the vaccine. However, in the United States, there is no vaccine being manufactured at this time. There is some being imported from Europe, but will there be enough?

You can visit the CDC’s yellow fever webpage to find the closest clinics giving the vaccine. 

Getting the vaccine may be inconvenient but Dr. Lyle Peterson of the CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Disease, states there is a low possibility of mosquitoes becoming infected by biting sick humans. 2.2 million people travel from Brazil to the US every year. All of these factors lead to the continued need for caution. The Aedes Aegypti is one type of mosquito that can carry yellow fever and it does exist in parts of the United States.

Scientists are saying the risk to the United States is low when it comes to any spread of Yellow Fever. And yet if there weren’t concern the CDC wouldn’t be suggesting the vaccine. At Mosquito Squad of Louisville, we believe there’s never anything wrong with erring on the side of caution. Therefore we remind you to protect yourself and family from mosquitoes and the diseases they can carry. Follow our 5Ts of mosquito-proofing your yard When you get to the “T” for treat, give us a call. Our barrier treatment will eliminate up to 90% of mosquitoes in your yard and continued treatment can give you a summer filled with thoughts of backyard bbqs and birthday parties… and not yellow fever. Call us today.