The yellow fever virus is
an arbovirus of the flavivirus genus
and is transmitted by mosquitoes, belonging to the Aedes and Haemogogus species. The different mosquito species live in different habitats – some breed around houses (domestic), others in the jungle (wild), and some in both habitats (semi-domestic).
What type of virus is yellow fever?
Yellow fever virus is
an RNA virus
that belongs to the genus Flavivirus. It is related to West Nile, St. Louis encephalitis, and Japanese encephalitis viruses. Yellow fever virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of infected Aedes or Haemagogus species mosquitoes.
What is the causative agent of yellow fever?
Yellow fever virus (YFV)
, an arthropod-borne virus in the genus Flavivirus of the family Flaviviridae, is the etiologic agent of yellow fever, a viral hemorrhagic fever that occurs in South American countries and much of sub-Saharan Africa (1,2).
Can yellow fever be transmitted from human to human?
A mosquito becomes infected when it bites a person who has yellow fever in his or her blood.
Direct spread of yellow fever from one person to another does not occur.
When was the last outbreak of yellow fever in the United States?
The last outbreak of yellow fever in the United States occurred in
1905
, when New Orleans, Louisiana, and other ports of the South were invaded. U.S. Army surgeon William Crawford Gorgas conducted experiments on the transmission of yellow fever by mosquitoes.
What is the best treatment for yellow fever?
What Is the Treatment for Yellow Fever?
No specific treatment exists for yellow fever
, which is one reason that preventative measures such as vaccination are so important. Supportive treatment is aimed at controlling the symptoms, and includes rest, fluids, and use of medicines to help relieve fever and aching.
Does yellow fever still exist?
The yellow fever virus is found in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa and South America. The virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito.
Yellow fever is a very rare cause of illness in U.S. travelers
.
What is the difference between yellow fever and jaundice?
What is yellow fever? Yellow fever is a serious, potentially deadly flu-like disease spread by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which also transmit dengue and Zika viruses. It's characterized by a
high fever and jaundice
. Jaundice is yellowing of the skin and eyes, which is why this disease is called yellow fever.
How is yellow fever controlled?
The most effective way to prevent infection from Yellow Fever virus is to
prevent mosquito bites
. Mosquitoes bite during the day and night. Use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, treat clothing and gear, and get vaccinated before traveling, if vaccination is recommended for you.
What is the scientific name for yellow fever?
›
Flavivirus febricis
. ›YFV. ›yellow fever virus YFV.
What are at least 5 main symptoms of a patient with yellow fever?
Symptoms of yellow fever include
fever, headache, jaundice, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue
. A small proportion of patients who contract the virus develop severe symptoms and approximately half of those die within 7 to 10 days. The virus is endemic in tropical areas of Africa and Central and South America.
How long did yellow fever epidemic last?
Yellow fever appeared in the U.S. in the late 17th century. The deadly virus continued to strike cities, mostly eastern seaports and Gulf Coast cities, for the next two hundred years, killing hundreds, sometimes thousands in a single summer.
How long does yellow fever immunization last?
A
single dose provides lifelong protection for most people
. The vaccine is a live, weakened form of the virus given as a single shot. Vaccine is recommended for people aged 9 months or older and who are traveling to or living in areas at risk for yellow fever virus in Africa and South America.
Is there a cure for yellow fever today?
Because
there is no cure for yellow fever
, prevention is critical. The yellow fever vaccine is advised for adults and children over age 9 months who are traveling to or living in countries with a known risk of yellow fever.
What famous people had yellow fever?
- François Carlo Antommarchi, Napoleon's physician, died in Cuba in 1821.
- John James Audubon, famous ornithologist, caught yellow fever on arrival in New York City when he emigrated to the United States in 1803.
How fast does yellow fever spread?
What is the incubation period for yellow fever? The period from contracting the infection to the development of symptoms (incubation period) is generally
between three to six days
.