In the News
Yellow Fever in Argentina - Updated
This information is current as of today, May 09, 2008 at 18:04
Updated: April 17, 2008
Situation Information
On March 3, 2008, the Argentina Ministry of Health (MOH) reported their first official human case of yellow fever for 2008 in Misiones Province. As of March 26, the Argentina MOH has reported 5 confirmed cases of yellow fever, including one death (all in Misiones Province). Prior to the onset of human cases, yellow fever disease was confirmed as the cause of death for at least one monkey found in Piñalito Park, San Pedro Department, Misiones Province, in the northeastern corner of Argentina, bordered by Brazil and Paraguay. In response, Argentina MOH officials are increasing yellow fever vaccination in humans living in the surrounding areas and are recommending yellow fever vaccination for specific risk areas. Based on these recommendations, CDC is expanding the areas in Argentina for which yellow fever vaccine is recommended (see below).
Since late 2007, emerging yellow fever disease has been reported in monkeys and humans from many South American countries. For reports of geographic expansion of yellow fever in other South American countries, please see CDC’s outbreak notices about yellow fever in Brazil and Paraguay.
Recommendations for Travelers
Travelers are strongly advised to follow the existing CDC yellow fever vaccination recommendations for Argentina:
- Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travelers older than 9 months who are going to the northern and northeastern forested areas of Argentina, including Iguaçu Falls and all areas bordering Paraguay and Brazil. These areas include:
- All departments of Misiones and Formosa Provinces
- Department of Bermejo in Chaco Province
- Departments of Berón de Astrada, Capital, General Alvear, General Paz, Ituzaingó, Itatí, Paso de los Libres, San Cosme, San Miguel, San Martín and Santo Tomé in Corrientes Province
- Departments of Valle Grande, Ledesma, Santa Bárbara and San Pedro in Jujuy Province
- Departments of General José de San Martín, Oran, Rivadavia and Anta in Salta Province
See the Updated CDC Yellow Fever Risk Map for Argentina.
- The complications from yellow fever vaccine are greater for certain groups of people, such as those younger than 9 months or older than 60 years, pregnant women, and those whose immune systems are compromised. For more information about these and other yellow fever vaccine precautions and contraindications, please see the prevention information in the Yellow Fever section of CDC Health Information for International Travel 2008. These travelers (or their parents) should discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination for travel to this area of Argentina with their physicians.
Since yellow fever is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, travelers are also reminded to:
- Use insect repellent on exposed skin surfaces when outdoors, particularly during the day.
- Repellents containing 30% to 50% DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) are recommended for adults. Lower concentrations of DEET offer shorter-term protection and require more frequent reapplication.
- Repellents containing picaridin are available in the United States in formulations of up to 15% concentration, which require frequent reapplication. Repellents with higher concentrations of picaridin may be available in some regions outside the United States.
- For additional information regarding the use of repellent on infants and children, please see the “Insect and Other Arthropod Protection” in Traveling Safely with Infants and Children and the “Children” section of CDC’s Frequently Asked Questions about Repellent Use.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Clothing may also be sprayed with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent for greater protection. (Remember: don't use permethrin on skin.)
Additional Information
For more information about the emerging yellow fever situation in South America, see the following announcements:
For more information about yellow fever risk and yellow fever vaccine, see the following sections of CDC Health Information for International Travel 2008:
