YELLOW FEVER

COMPLIED BY:
KEHINDE OLUWATOSIN ADEBISI- 019/0102/0011
BALOGUN GBADURA MIRACLE- 020/0102/0034
MUSTAPHA KEHINDE- 021/0102/0027
AKOWE SARAH- 019/0102/0064
CONTENT
• Introduction
• Causes
• Signs and symptoms
• Epidemiology
• Risk factors
• Complications
• Diagnosis
• Prevention
• Treatment
• Conclusion
 Introduction
Yellow fever is an epidemic-prone mosquito-borne vaccine preventable disease that is transmitted to
humans by the bites of infected mosquitoes. Yellow fever is caused by an arbovirus (a virus transmitted by
vectors such mosquitoes, ticks or other arthropods) transmitted to humans by the bites of infected Aedes
and Haemagogus mosquitoes. These day-biting mosquitoes breed around houses (domestic), in forests or
jungles (wild), or in both habitats (semi-domestic). Yellow fever is a high-impact high-threat disease, with
risk of international spread, which represents a potential threat to global health security.
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. The "yellow" in
the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients.
There are 3 types of transmission cycles:
The first is sylvatic (or jungle) yellow fever in which monkeys, which are the primary reservoir of yellow
fever, are bitten by wild mosquitoes that pass the virus on to other monkeys and occasionally humans. The
second is intermediate yellow fever in which semi-domestic mosquitoes infect both monkeys and people.
This is the most common type of outbreak in Africa. The third is urban yellow fever of which large
epidemics occur when infected people introduce the virus into heavily populated areas with high mosquito
density and where people have little immunity. In these conditions, infected mosquitoes transmit the
virus from person to person.
Etiology/Causes
Yellow fever is caused by a virus that is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. These mosquitoes thrive in
and near human habitations where they breed in even the cleanest water. Most cases of yellow fever occur
in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America.
Humans and monkeys are most commonly infected with the yellow fever virus. Mosquitoes transmit
the virus back and forth between monkeys, humans or both. When a mosquito bites a human or a monkey
infected with yellow fever, the virus enters the mosquito's bloodstream and circulates before settling in
the salivary glands. When the infected mosquito bites another monkey or human, the virus then enters
the host's bloodstream, where it may cause illness
A large epidemic of yellow fever occurs when infected people introduce the virus into heavily
populated areas with high mosquito density and where most people have little or no immunity due to lack
of vaccination. Yellow fever is an outstanding example of a completely preventable disease, vaccines help
to build immunity against the virus and outbreaks can be controlled by eliminating or controlling
mosquito population.
Yellow fever is caused by a virus that is spread by AEDES AEGYPTI MOSQUITO. The Aedes aegypti
mosquito is a 4-7mm long, dark mosquito, it can be recognized by the white marking on its legs and a
marking in the form of lyres on the upper surface of the thorax.
Signs and Symptoms
During the first three to six days after you’ve contracted yellow fever
(incubation period), there won’t be visible signs and symptoms. After this, the
infection enters an acute phase and then in some cases, a toxic phase that can
be life-threatening.
Acute phase
 Fever
 Headache
 Muscle aches, particularly in the back and knee
 Sensitivity to light
 Nausea, vomiting or both
 Loss of appetite
 Dizziness
 Red eyes, face and tongue
A small proportion of patients who contract the virus develops severe
symptoms and approximately half of those die within 7 to 10 days which is
called the TOXIC PHASE.
 Those symptoms are:
 Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eye (Jaundice)
 Abdominal pain and vomiting, sometimes of blood
 Decreased urination
 Bleeding from nose, mouth and eyes
 Slow heart rate (bradycardia)
 Liver and kidney failure
Brain dysfunction, including delirium, seizures and coma.

Epidemiology
The virus is endemic in tropical areas of Africa and Central South America. Approximately 200,000 cases
of yellow fever occur annually, 90% of them occur in Africa. In South America, the rate of transmission of
yellow fever is lower than in Africa, in part because high vaccine coverage occurs primarily as part of mass
immunization campaigns in response to outbreaks of the disease. The largest outbreak of yellow fever in
South America since the 1950s occurred in Peru in 1995, and cases were reported in Bolivia, Brazil,
Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru from 1985 to 1994. Yellow fever continues to occur in regions of Africa and
South America. Future research is focused on defining the spectrum of adverse events that are associated
with yellow fever vaccine and the host factors that would increase risk of these events and on identifying
potential treatment modalities for yellow fever and for yellow fever vaccine-associated viscerotropic and
neurotropic diseases.
Risk factors
 Those who haven’t been vaccinated for yellow fever and who live in areas populated by infected mosquitoes are at
risk. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 200,000 people get the infection each year.
 Most cases occur in 32 countries in Africa, including Rwanda and Sierra Leone, and in 13 countries in Latin
America, including: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
 Other adults are at greater risk of getting infected with yellow fever virus.
 

Complications
Complications during the toxic phase of a yellow fever infection include kidney and liver failure, jaundice, delirium,
and coma. People who survive the infection recover gradually over a period of several weeks to months, usually without
significant organ damage.
 

Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about the symptoms been experiencing and if there was a recent travel history. If the doctor
suspects that a patient has yellow fever, they’ll order a blood test.
The blood sample will be analyzed for the presence of the virus or for the antibodies meant to fight the virus.
 
Prevention
1)Vaccination: yellow fever vaccine is a type of attenuated and anyone traveling to an area where yellow
fever is known to exist should find out about having the vaccine at least 10 to 14 days before departure.
Some countries may insist on a valid immunization certificate before a person can enter.
A single vaccine dose provides at least 10 years’ Trusted Source protection, and the person may be
protected for life. Some types of yellow fever vaccine are: Stamaril, YF-Vax, Prophylaxis. Yellow fever
vaccines are a single lifetime dose which is sufficient for most people, although those at high risk groups
may benefit from a booster dose according to the center for disease control of different country.
Some Side effects of the vaccine may include:
• headaches
• low-grade fevers
• muscle pain
• tiredness
• soreness at the injection site
In very rare cases, infants and older people may develop more serious reactions, such as encephalitis
or meningitis (swelling of the brain, spinal cord or surrounding tissues), anaphylaxis (difficulty breathing)
and internal organ dysfunction. The vaccine is deemed to be safe for patients aged between 9 months and
60 years.
The following groups of people should not have the vaccination:
 Children aged under 9 months, unless the risk of yellow fever is unavoidable.
 Pregnant women, unless the risk is unavoidable
 breastfeeding mothers
 people who are allergic to eggs
 people with weakened immune systems, unless the risk of yellow fever is
unavoidable, including those with HIV, or people receiving chemotherapy and
radiotherapy
 Any patient over 60 years of age should discuss whether to have the vaccine with
a doctor.
Other allergies to vaccine are: organ transplant recipients, diagnosed with a
malignant tumor, diagnosed with thymus disorder, associated with abnormal
immune function, diagnosed with a primary immunodeficiency and others.
It is important for travelers to have the vaccination, to increase their protection
and avoid spreading the disease to others. Some immigration authorities will not
allow travelers to enter a country without a valid vaccination certificate. After 30
days, 99 percent Trusted Source who receive the vaccination have complete
protection.
2)Protection from mosquitos: To reduce exposure to mosquitos, experts advise:
Where possible, avoid outdoor activities during dawn, dusk and early evening, when mosquitoes are most prevalent.
Cover the skin as much as possible, by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants in areas where there are mosquitoes.
Stay indoors in places that have air-conditioning and good screening, such as window nets
Apply mosquito repellent containing permethrin to clothing, shoes, camping equipment, and bed netting, but not
directly on the skin.
 

Treatment
There is no effective antiviral medication to treat yellow fever, so treatment consists of supportive care in a hospital.
This includes providing fluids, oxygen, making sure blood pressure is adequate, replacing lost blood, kidney dialysis if
there is kidney failure, and treating any secondary infections. Some patients may be given plasma transfusion to
replace proteins that help with clotting. The patient should be kept away from mosquitoes. If a mosquito bites the
patient, they will become infected and then pass the disease on to other people. They should not use aspirin and non-
steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) because of the risk of bleeding.
Conclusion

Yellow fever is often represented as a neglected

disease, yet it still remains a considerable threat to
human health and economy. Nigeria is one of 50
global partners battling to eliminate yellow fever
within the next 10 years. However, the current report
of the positive cases and mortality recorded in the year
2019 revels on- going transmission in the country.
Hence, a holistic approach by relevant stakeholders
and the entire populace is required to eliminate Yellow
fever in Nigeria and this approach includes
vaccination.

Get a yellow card and get vaccinated!!