Facts About Yellow Fever

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FACTS ABOUT YELLOW FEVER

Has been called “one of the most lethal diseases of humankind”. (Monath)

Originated in Africa. Worldwide, there are an estimated 200,000 cases a year, with 30,000 resulting in death.

Most cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America.

The number of cases is increasing due to declining immunity and other factors.

There is no cure or treatment, other than alleviating symptoms by administering fluids intravenously, kidney dialysis.

Caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes.

Symptoms include high fever; severe headache, muscular and abdominal pain; vomiting; red eyes; jaundice.

Causes liver and kidney failure, external and internal bleeding, brain dysfunction, coma, shock, death.

Infectious but not contagious from person to person.

Carlos Finlay, a Cuban physician, was the first to suggest that yellow fever was transmitted by mosquitoes. In 1891, Walter Reed and his team proved this by conducting experiments on volunteers.

The first vaccines were developed in the 1930’s.

Prevention consists of vaccination and mosquito control.

Sources: World Health Organization, How Stuff Works, Journal of the American Medical Association; ResearchGate (Thomas R. Monath)., Wikipedia.

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Fact Sheet: Yellow Fever

The Memphis Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878