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Yellow fever in Bolivia: Santa Cruz

12 Apr 2023

Media quoting Bolivian public health authorities have reported a possible outbreak of yellow fever in Santa Cruz Department.

Since the end of March 2023, there have been two cases of yellow fever in the Purto Suarez area. These are the first cases of yellow fever in Santa Cruz in 19 years.

Yellow fever is a disease that is transmitted by infected mosquitoes that bite during the day. The most common symptoms are fever, muscle pain with prominent obvious backache, headache, loss of appetite, and feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting). A small proportion of people that become infected can become severely unwell and die.

Advice to travellers

If you are visiting an area where yellow fever is present you should:

A yellow fever vaccine is available to protect you against yellow fever. Vaccination is recommended if you are visiting areas where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission. The vaccine is only available at designated yellow fever centres.

Detailed guidance can be found on the fitfortravel Bolivia country page and Yellow fever disease page.