Health Alert
Yellow Fever in Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo
Updated December 21, 2016Updated: December 20, 2016
Travel Health Notice
Yellow fever is a serious and occasionally fatal disease. It is caused by a virus which is spread to humans by infected mosquitoes. Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, muscle pain (mostly back pain), yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Yellow fever transmission occurs in tropical areas in Africa and Central and South America. All unvaccinated travellers are at high risk if going to a destination where yellow fever occurs.
The Ministries of Health in Angola and Democratic Republic of Congo are both reporting outbreaks of yellow fever. The outbreak in Angola was first reported in December 2015 where it began in an urban area (Luanda) and subsequently spread through the country. The majority of confirmed cases in Democratic Republic of Congo were travellers returning from Angola, however, several infections were locally acquired as well. Cases have also been reported in travellers returning to Kenya and China from Angola. The World Health Organization indicates that there is a risk for further spread of the disease because of the large international communities in Angola and the frequent travel with neighbouring and overseas countries.
The Public Health Agency of Canada reminds travellers that proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers aged 9 months and older to enter Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Travellers are also advised to protect themselves from mosquito bites when travelling in these countries. People who have never been vaccinated against yellow fever should consider not travelling to Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. For more information see the recommendations below.
There is currently a shortage of the yellow fever vaccine in Canada. It is important for travellers to contact a designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre well in advance of their trip to ensure that the vaccine is available.
Recommendations
Consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before you travel.
- Get vaccinated:
- Get the yellow fever vaccine before you travel to a country with risk of yellow fever and countries requiring yellow fever vaccination.
- In addition, Brazil, Rwanda, and Uganda have issued Temporary Yellow Fever vaccinations requirements in response to the outbreak.
- In Canada, the vaccine is only available at designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres.
- After you receive the vaccine, you will receive an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis to bring with you on your trip as proof of vaccination.
- It is important to contact a designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre well in advance of your travel to ensure that the vaccine is available.
- If you are receiving the vaccine for the first time, be aware that it takes ten days for it to become effective. Your International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis will become valid ten days after the date of vaccination.
- Your health care provider will provide you with more detailed information related to the duration of validity of the certificate.
- One dose of the yellow fever vaccine provides long lasting immunity against the disease.
- Consult your health care provider to discuss whether a booster dose is recommended based on your risk factors.
- Get the yellow fever vaccine before you travel to a country with risk of yellow fever and countries requiring yellow fever vaccination.
- If you have never been vaccinated for yellow fever or cannot get vaccinated you should consider not travelling to Angola and the DRC.
Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times, as the yellow fever virus is transmitted by a mosquito that can bite in daylight and evening hours. This includes the use of insect repellant and protective clothing.
If you develop symptoms similar to yellow fever when you are travelling or after you return, see a health care provider and tell them where you have been travelling or living.