Brazil to require yellow fever vaccination from Angola and Congo travelers

Brazil's government will require international yellow fever vaccination certificates from people traveling to and from Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The requirement is a guideline from the World Health Organization (WHO) due to a yellow fever outbreak in those countries.

Travelers in transit through these countries, including delegations coming to Brazil for the Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics, must present a certificate with a vaccination date at least 10 days prior to traveling. The requirement is effective until further WHO recommendations.

Transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are also the vectors for Zika virus, dengue fever, and chikungunya, urban yellow fever was last reported in Brazil in 1942. Last year, nine cases of jungle yellow fever were recorded in Brazil, with five deaths. This year, until April, one fatal case was identified.

Yellow fever vaccination has been in place in Brazil since 1937. It is available from public health centers free of charge. According to the Health Ministry, the vaccine is highly effective and safe to administer to residents and travelers going to areas under vaccine recommendations from nine months old, or from six months old during outbreaks. It provides immunity to 95%-99% of patients.

Translated by Mayra Borges