Yellow fever

Overview

Yellow fever is a serious viral infection that is spread by certain types of mosquito. It’s mainly found in sub-Saharan Africa, South America and parts of the Caribbean.

The condition can be prevented with a vaccination and is a very rare cause of illness in travellers.

Between 1999 and 2018, there were 12 cases of yellow fever reported among European travellers. None of these travellers were vaccinated, 5 of these cases occurred in 2018.

If you’re planning to visit places where yellow fever infection is found, you should seek travel health advice before you travel.

How yellow fever is spread

The virus that causes yellow fever is passed to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The mosquitoes that spread the infection are usually active and bite during daylight hours, and are found in both urban and rural areas.

Yellow fever can’t be passed directly from person to person through close contact.

Information about you

If you have yellow fever, your clinical team will pass information about you on to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Diseases Registration Service (NCARDRS).

This helps scientists look for better ways to prevent and treat this condition. You can opt out of the register at any time.

Find out more about the register.

Don’t include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions.