Tanzania and Zanzibar Yellow-Fever

Tanzania, and Zanzibar yellow fever

Tanzania and Zanzibar travel yellow fever guide: Yellow fever is a disease caused by a virus that is spread through mosquito bites. Symptoms take 3–6 days to develop and include fever, chills, headache, backache, and muscle aches. About 15% of people who get yellow fever develop serious illness that can lead to bleeding, shock, organ failure, and sometimes death.

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Yellow fever who is at risk?

Travelers to certain parts of Africa and South America are at risk for yellow fever. See the box below for specific information about the country where you are traveling.

Tanzania, and Zanzibar Yellow fever Required

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission and ≥1 year of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YF virus transmission.1

Yellow fever Symptoms?

The majority of people infected with yellow fever virus will either not have symptoms, or have mild symptoms and completely recover. For people who develop symptoms, the time from infection until illness is typically 3 to 6 days.

Because there is a risk of severe disease, all people who develop symptoms of yellow fever after traveling to or living in an area at risk for the virus should see their healthcare provider. Once you have been infected, you are likely to be protected from future infections.

• Most people will not have symptoms.
• Some people will develop yellow fever illness with initial symptoms including:
  • Sudden onset of fever
  • Chills
  • Severe headache
  • Back pain
  • General body aches
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Fatigue (feeling tired)
  • Weakness
  • Most people with the initial symptoms improve within one week.
  • For some people who recover, weakness and fatigue (feeling tired) might last several months.
• A few people will develop a more severe form of the disease.
  • For 1 out of 7 people who have the initial symptoms, there will be a brief remission (a time you feel better) that may last only a few hours or for a day, followed by a more severe form of the disease.
• Severe symptoms include:
  • High fever
  • Yellow skin (jaundice)
  • Bleeding
  • Shock
  • Organ failure
• Severe yellow fever disease can be deadly. If you develop any of these symptoms, see a healthcare provider immediately.
• Among those who develop severe disease, 30-60% die.

Diagnosis

• Yellow fever infection is diagnosed based on laboratory testing, a person’s symptoms, and travel history.
• More information on diagnostic testing is available on the For Healthcare Providers visit your .

Treatment

• There is no medicine to treat or cure infection from yellow fever.
• Rest, drink fluids, and use pain relievers and medication to reduce fever and relieve aching.
• Avoid certain medications, such as aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, for example ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve), which may increase the risk of bleeding.
• People with severe symptoms of yellow fever infection should be hospitalized for close observation and supportive care.
• If after returning from travel you have symptoms of yellow fever (usually about a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito), protect yourself from mosquito bites for up to 5 days after symptoms begin. This will help prevent spreading yellow fever to uninfected mosquitoes that can spread the virus to other people.

If your travel plans in Tanzania include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.

Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.

Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.

Heat-related illness, such as heat stroke, can be deadly. Eat and drink regularly, wear loose and lightweight clothing, and limit physical activity during high temperatures

Talk with your doctor about taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs with you on your trip in case you get sick.