Talking Points: Yellow Fever Outbreak in Brazil (February 3, 2017)

Talking Points – Yellow Fever in Brazil

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The following Talking Points can be used in conversations with the media and clients when discussing the recent outbreak of Yellow Fever and travel to Brazil. (February 3, 2017)

1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Alert for Brazil, due to a recent outbreak of Yellow Fever. While the CDC does not warn against travel to Brazil, it recommends travelers should practice enhanced precautions.

2. There are basic precautions travelers can follow to limit their possible exposure while traveling in Brazil.

3. We are here to assist our clients; the safety and well-being of our clients is our top priority.

Below you will find additional information, supporting material, and statistics supporting each talking point.

1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Alert for Brazil, due to a recent outbreak of Yellow Fever. While the CDC does not warn against travel to Brazil, it recommend travelers should practice enhanced precautions.

 Brazil’s Yellow Fever Outbreak began in December 2016, and some fatalities have occurred as a result.

o Most Yellow Fever cases have occurred in rural areas. However, cases have been reported in the states of São Paulo and Espírito Santo.

 The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the areas where Yellow Fever is affecting Brazil is expanding.

o “The total number of suspected and confirmed yellow fever cases reported is the highest reported nationwide since 2000.”

o “Espírito Santo State, an area that was previously not considered at risk for yellow fever, confirmed its first autochthonous human case of yellow fever since 1940. The case is a 44-year-old male from the municipality of Ibatiba. São Paulo State, reported three laboratory-confirmed cases of human yellow fever, all of whom died. ”

 The BBC reports that the state of Minas Gerais, where many of the cases have originated, is under a 180-day state of emergency.

o “Of the 63 confirmed cases in Brazil, 35 have proved fatal, Brazilian Health Ministry figures show.”

 Yellow Fever is spread by mosquito bites.

o It is a virus that usually causes symptoms in 3 to 6 days after exposure.

 

o Symptoms include fever, chills, and head, back and muscle aches.

o Complications occur in about 15% of those afflicted, and can lead to organ failure and death.

 The New York Times reports that there is concern that the current outbreak may cross mosquito species.

o “Small outbreaks are occasionally set off in rural towns when loggers, miners or other forest workers catch the disease and transmit it to local mosquitoes. Those outbreaks may die out spontaneously with the arrival of cold or windy weather, or they may be quelled by vaccination campaigns.”

o “But if yellow fever reaches cities infested with Aedes aegypti mosquitoes — the same species that carries the Zika virus — it can set off outbreaks that spread so fast that vaccination teams and mosquito-control teams cannot contain them.”

2. There are basic precautions travelers can follow to limit their possible exposure while traveling in Brazil.

 Fortunately, there is a vaccine available for Yellow Fever.

o All persons over the age of nine months should receive the vaccine when planning on traveling to an area with Yellow Fever.

o Normally, one dose of Yellow Fever vaccine per lifetime is sufficient.

o Travelers should consult their physician to see if they need a booster dose if they have previously been vaccinated, and are going to a high risk area.

o The Yellow Fever vaccine’s manufacturer recently announced a shortage. Travelers are encouraged to plan their vaccination schedule early to ensure availability. The vaccine must be given 10 days before arrival in Brazil.

 Since Yellow Fever is spread via mosquitoes, preventing their bites can help protect against Yellow Fever. The CDC recommends:

o Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants.

o Use an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), IR3535, or 2-undecanone (methyl nonyl ketone).

o If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.

o Use permethrin-treated (clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents).

o Stay and sleep in screened or air conditioned rooms.

o Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

3. We are here to assist our clients; the safety and well-being of our clients is our top priority.

 We would not send our clients to a particular destination if we believe it to be unsafe. Should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination, we alert clients who may be planning to travel there and provide detailed information on the situation so they can make informed decisions for themselves if they still wish to travel.

 We strongly encourage all of our clients, whether they are traveling domestically or internationally, to purchase travel insurance, particularly right at the same time as travel has been booked. Travel insurance offers an additional layer of protection for travelers and can potentially help save a traveler hundreds or thousands of dollars if a medical or travel emergency occurs.

 We are advocates for our clients; and they know that by working with a true travel professional, we are there for them before, during, and after their trip should they need us – which gives them peace of mind.

 By working with a trusted travel professional, we can provide providing alternative travel arrangements should the need arise.

 Our business is founded on repeat customers. Therefore, we want to be sure everything goes off without a hitch.