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Yellow Fever in Brazil (Update 15)

05 Mar 2018

Transmission of yellow fever continues in Brazil. The Ministry of Health reports (in Portuguese) that there have been 723 confirmed cases (237 deaths) of yellow fever in the country between 1 July 2017 and 28 February 2018.

Confirmed cases have been reported from the following states: Minas Gerais (314 cases, 103 deaths); Sao Paulo (307 cases, 95 deaths); Rio de Janeiro (96 cases, 38 deaths); Espirito Santo (5 cases) and Federal District (1 case, 1 death)

Recent expansion of yellow fever into the municipality of Sao Paulo and the municipalities of Greater São Paulo (Cajamar, Caieiras, Mairipora, Franco da Rocha, Guarulhos, and Itapecerica da Serra), indicate high risk for non-immunized people. The World Health Organisation (WHO) considers all of São Paulo State as being at risk of yellow fever transmission.

Advice for travellers

  • There is a risk of yellow fever in Brazil, including in São Paulo City.

  • Yellow fever risk areas in Brazil are shown here. 

  • A traveller's risk of yellow fever is determined by their general risk assessment e.g. country visited, length of stay, city or rural, activities etc.

  • Mosquito bite avoidance rules should be adhered to - the mosquito that spreads yellow fever bites predominantly during the day.

  • Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for travellers to areas at risk of yellow fever (including São Paulo City) unless contraindicated.

For further information see Yellow Fever.