Yellow Fever Resources Yellow Fever Disease Yellow fever is an acute, viral disease transmitted between humans by infected mosquitoes. The disease affects people of all ages and occurs in tropical areas, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America. Many infections are mild, but the disease can cause severe, life-threatening illness. Initial symptoms include high fever, general muscle pain, backache, shivers, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. About half of the patients in this toxic phase die within 10 to 14 days.
Persons recovering from yellow fever have lifelong immunity against reinfection.
An estimated 200,000 yellow fever cases with 30,000 deaths occur each year, almost all in sub-Saharan Africa where over 460 million people in 33 countries are at risk of infection. There is no specific treatment for yellow fever. Patients should drink plenty of fluids to compensate for dehydration. Vaccination is the single most important measure for preventing yellow fever. Yellow Fever Vaccine Yellow fever vaccine is a live, attenuated virus vaccine which has been in use since the 1930's.