According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Brazilian Ministry of Health has reported an ongoing outbreak of yellow fever starting in December.
The first cases were reported in the state of Minas Gerais, but cases have since been reported in the neighboring states of Espirito Santo and Sao Paulo, according to the CDC.
In response to this outbreak, health authorities have recently expanded the list of areas in which yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travelers, according to the CDC.
According to The Guardian, this is Brazil’s worst outbreak of yellow fever in decades. The outbreak has already killed dozens of people and has destroyed wild monkey populations, according to The Guardian.
The Brazilian Ministry of Health maintains a list of all other municipalities in Brazil for which yellow fever vaccination continues to be recommended (not including recently added municipalities). You can locate the list by clicking here.
According to the CDC, anyone 9 months or older who travels to these areas should be vaccinated against yellow fever. People who have never been vaccinated against yellow fever should not travel to areas with ongoing outbreaks. The CDC no longer recommends booster doses of yellow fever vaccine for most travelers.
However, a booster dose may be given to travelers who received their last dose of yellow fever vaccine at least 10 years ago and who will be in a higher-risk setting, including areas with ongoing outbreaks, according to the CDC.
Because of the ongoing outbreak, travelers to the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo, and parts of Bahia, Sao Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro states may consider getting a booster if their last yellow fever vaccination was more than 10 years ago. Travelers should consult with a yellow fever vaccine provider to determine if they should be vaccinated.
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