Controlling Spread of Yellow Fever

Table of Contents

A. Isolation and Quarantine Requirements

None.

B. Protection of Contacts of a Case

It is important to prevent mosquitoes from biting a case for at least 5 days after onset of illness. Mosquito control can be done by screening sickrooms, spraying with insecticides and using bed nets. These measures can prevent transmission of yellow fever from infected mosquitoes to contacts of a case.  Concerns over local transmission should be small.

C. Managing Special Situations 

Locally Acquired Case

As noted above in Section C 4), a locally acquired case of yellow fever would be an unusual occurrence. Contact the Iowa Department of Public Health immediately at (800) 362-2736 and request assistance if the case is believed to be acquired locally. Environmental measures such as investigating local areas visited by the case to locate the focus of infection and surveillance of other people for illness may be necessary. 

Reported Incidence Is Higher than Usual/Outbreak Suspected

If an outbreak is suspected, investigate to determine the source of infection and mode of transmission. A common exposure to or association with A. aegypti mosquitoes (e.g., travelers returning from endemic countries) should be sought and applicable preventive or control measures should be instituted. Contact IDPH using the disease reporting hotline (800) 362-2736 as soon as possible. CADE can help determine a course of action to prevent further cases and can perform surveillance for cases that may cross several town lines and therefore be difficult to identify at a local level.

D. Preventive Measures

International Travel and Vaccination

  • A live vaccine is recommended for everyone over 9 months old who will be living in or traveling to endemic areas, and required by international regulations for travel to and from certain countries. Pregnant women should not be vaccinated except when travel to an endemic area is unavoidable and if an increased risk for exposure exists.
  • In unusual circumstances, physicians considering vaccinating infants aged <9 months or pregnant women should contact the Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases (970) 221-6400) or the Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (404) 498-1600) at CDC for advice (see Precautions and Contraindications).
  • Without a valid certificate of immunization against yellow fever, many countries require a 6-day quarantine of travelers coming from or going to recognized yellow fever zones of Africa and South America.
  • Travelers to yellow fever endemic countries are encouraged to protect themselves from mosquitoes by using repellents, wearing protective clothing and using mosquito nets when rooms are not screened. Unlike other vectors, the principal mosquito vectors of yellow fever bite during daytime hours.

For more information regarding international travel and the yellow fever vaccine, contact the CDC’s Traveler’s Health Office at (877) 394-8747 or at www.cdc.gov/travel
Iowa Dept. of Public Health, Reviewed 8/15