To prevent the spread of yellow fever, travellers crossing the borders of countries where yellow fever is prevalent need to be vacinated against the virus.
Yellow fever is a virus carried by the Aedes mosquito that leads to death in about 25% of patients. There is no specific treatment, but vaccination is very effective.
International law requires travellers crossing the borders of countries where yellow fever is endemic to have yellow fever vaccinations. After you have been vaccinated you will be issued with a Yellow Fever Certificate.
The certificate only becomes valid ten days after vaccination, and stays valid for ten years.
If you have travelled in a Yellow Fever region in the six days before you wish to visit South Africa, you will have to show your Yellow Fever Certificate when you enter the country.
Pregnant women, babies under one year old and people who are allergic to the vaccine and to eggs do not have to have the vaccination. You will still have to get a certificate from the vaccination centre saying that you have been exempted.
those with an exemption certificate due to medical reasons may be allowed entry and required to report any fever or other symptoms to the health authorities and be placed under surveillance.
If there is no Port Health Officer at the point where you enter the country, you will be refused entry into South Africa.