Travellers to be screened for yellow fever

Surveillance will be heightened for persons travelling to TT from South America to ensure they have immunisation against yellow fever. This is in response to an advisory from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminding nationals travelling to Venezuela that they must show proof of immunisation. Two states in Venezuela have had an outbreak of Yellow Fever.

The Pan American Health Organisation has also recorded cases in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia and Peru. The cumulative for the year (up to November 1) for the Americas is 221 with 99 deaths. PAHO said it is the greatest number of cases reported in the region since 1998. Chief Medical Officer, Health Ministry, Dr Rampersad Parasram said TT had no Yellow Fever case in the past 30 years. He said surveillance for this particular disease takes place in forested areas because this is where the disease “first begins to manifest itself.” He said dead monkeys are a sign. Yellow Fever is spread from monkeys via mosquitoes.

Dr Parasram said it is “routine” in international travel for people from countries where a disease is endemic to be required to present an immunisation card when they are going to places where there is a possible risk of infection. “We have a fairly high level of immunisation,” Parasram said. He cautioned members of the public travelling to South American countries to be immunised before travelling. A doctor at the Health Ministry said the symptoms of yellow fever are: a fever of over 100C , malaise, jaundice. The spleen can become palpable and easily felt. He said yellow fever is fatal in 10-15 percent of patients but the majority will easily recover.  People showing signs of jaundice are advised to seek immediate medical attention.