Yellow fever
Yellow fever is caused by a virus and mainly spread by the bite of an infected 'Aedes' mosquito. These mosquitoes are not normally found in Aotearoa New Zealand. Yellow fever is almost always caught overseas. Outbreaks are most common in Africa and Latin America. Immunisation is required for people travelling to areas where the virus is common, such as parts of tropical South America and sub-Saharan Africa.
How yellow fever spreads
Yellow fever is spread through the bite from an infected mosquito. It cannot be spread from person to person.
Symptoms of yellow fever
Symptoms of yellow fever start 3 to 6 days after you have been infected. In most cases they are mild and can include:
- sudden fever
- headache
- chills
- muscle pains and backache
- feeling sick (nausea) and throwing up (vomiting).
Symptoms normally go away after 3 or 4 days.
A small number of people get seriously ill with yellow fever, when the fever returns and damages their liver or kidneys, causing jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) and internal bleeding.
Diagnosing yellow fever
If you have symptoms of yellow fever and have been to a country where it is found, contact your healthcare provider.
Your healthcare provider may take a blood test to confirm if you have yellow fever and rule out other diseases which can also be caused by tropical mosquito bites.
The role of public health
Yellow fever is a notifiable disease. This means that healthcare providers or laboratories will inform public health when someone has it. This way public health can investigate which country it came from and give health advice about looking after yourself.
Public health also has a role in making sure exotic mosquitoes do not become established in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Treating yellow fever
There is no specific treatment for mild cases of yellow fever. Serious cases need immediate hospital treatment.
If your yellow fever is mild:
- rest
- drink plenty of fluids
- take pain relief for the fever headache and muscle pains.
Preventing yellow fever
Tips on how to prevent mosquito bites.
If you are travelling to a country with yellow fever, there is a preventative vaccine you can get. A single yellow fever vaccine provides life-long protection. Some countries require proof of immunisation before you can enter.
Authorised yellow fever vaccine centres — Health New Zealand (external link)