Yellow Fever in Côte d'Ivoire
In January 2011, the Ministry of Heath of Côte d'Ivoire (also called the Ivory Coast) and the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a yellow fever outbreak in the central and northern districts of Beoumi, Katiola, Seguela, and Mankono. Several cases have been laboratory confirmed as yellow fever, and additional cases, including deaths, are suspected.
Yellow fever outbreaks occur regularly in Côte d'Ivoire. The last reported outbreak was in January 2010. Based on the ongoing nationwide risk of yellow fever disease, CDC has a long-standing recommendation for all travelers to Côte d'Ivoire to obtain the yellow fever vaccine.
In response to the current outbreak, at the end of January 2011 the Ministry of Health of Côte d'Ivoire conducted a mass vaccination campaign in the affected districts.
Yellow fever occurs in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America and is spread to people through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Initial symptoms can include sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, backache, nausea, and vomiting.
Recommendations for US Travelers
Yellow fever is always a potential health risk in Côte d'Ivoire. However, this outbreak of human cases suggests a higher risk of infection for travelers to central and northern Côte d'Ivoire at this time. It also highlights the necessity of preventive measures, especially vaccination, before travel.
US citizens living and traveling in Côte d'Ivoire are advised to avoid travel to central and northern Côte d'Ivoire unless they have been vaccinated against yellow fever within the past 10 years. Travelers who have been vaccinated recently should not travel to central and northern Côte d'Ivoire for at least 10 days after receiving the vaccine, since it takes 10 days for the vaccine to be effective in most persons.
- Get vaccinated:
- CDC recommends that all travelers 9 months of age and older traveling to Côte d'Ivoire receive yellow fever vaccination.
- Côte d'Ivoire requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for all travelers 1 year of age and older upon entry to the country.
- Talk to your doctor to make sure you do not have any medical conditions that might prevent you from receiving the vaccine. If the doctor advises you not to get the yellow fever vaccine because of medical reasons, you should not travel to Côte d'Ivoire at this time, especially the districts involved in this outbreak.
- Prevent insect bites:
- When outdoors or in a building that is not well screened, use insect repellent on uncovered skin. Always apply sunscreen before insect repellent.
- Look for a repellent that contains one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus/PMD, or IR3535. Always follow the instructions on the label when you use the repellent.
- In general, repellents protect longer against mosquito bites when they have a higher concentration (%) of the active ingredient. However, concentrations above 50% do not offer a marked increase in protection time. Products with less than 10% of an active ingredient may offer only limited protection, often just 1-2 hours.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics approves the use of repellents with up to 30% DEET on children over 2 months old. Protect babies younger than 2 months old by using a carrier draped with mosquito netting with an elastic edge for a tight fit.
- For more information about the use of repellent on infants and children, please see the "Insect and Other Arthropod Protection" section in Traveling Safely with Infants and Children in CDC Health Information for International Travel 2010 and the "Children" section of CDC's Frequently Asked Questions about Repellent Use .
- For more information on the use of insect repellents, visit Insect and Arthropod Protection in CDC Health Information for International Travel 2010.
- Wear loose, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
- Spray clothing with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent for more protection. (Remember: Don't use permethrin on skin.)
- When outdoors or in a building that is not well screened, use insect repellent on uncovered skin. Always apply sunscreen before insect repellent.
For additional information, see CDC yellow fever vaccination recommendations and requirements for Côte d'Ivoire .
Visit the Côte d'Ivoire destination page on the CDC Travelers' Health website for information about other steps to take to ensure a safe and healthy trip.