The Travel Doctor
Traveller's medical & vaccination centre
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Yellow fever in Brazil update
Monday, 6 April, 2009
The outbreak of yellow fever in Sao Paulo state which began on 27 Feb 2009, is ongoing.
On 31 Mar, two more cases were reported bringing the total number of confirmed cases of yellow fever in the state to 15, including 8 deaths from the infection. The 8 deaths were registered in the cities of Piraju, Sarutaia and Itatinga in the Botucatu region, southern part of the state. So far all those affected had been living in rural areas. A mass vaccination campaign is still in operation. The outbreak of yellow fever in Rio Grande do Sul state which began in Dec 2008, is ongoing. To date there have been 21 suspected cases of yellow fever; the Secretariat of Health has confirmed 13 cases including 6 deaths. The worst affected area is the Vale do Rio Pardo, 155 km from Porto Alegre .The immunisation campaign targeting the local population is to be extended.
Although there appears to be no risk in the cities of Sao Paolo and Porte Alegre dengue fever is a major risk here (as well as in Rio de Janeiro)and anti-mosquito precautions are of prime importance. Vaccination is advised for travellers where there is any doubt about itinerary, and is required if returning from a yellow fever area to Australia within a period of 6 days.
