No cases of yellow fever in Jamaica — MOH
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Health is advising the public that there are no cases of yellow fever in Jamaica.
Yellow fever is an acute illness caused by the yellow fever virus, which is found in South America and Africa. The virus is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes, such as the Aedes, the same vector that transmits the chikungunya, dengue and zika viruses.
Yellow Fever is a Class 1 notifiable disease, which means it is to be reported to the Ministry of Health within 24 hours on suspicion by a healthcare professional. The Ministry has not received any such report, the MOH said in a release today.
The MOH stated that yellow fever does not occur in Jamaica; however it can be imported by mosquito vectors and human hosts.
The ministry advised that in order to prevent any incidents of yellow fever, vaccination against the disease is required for Jamaicans travelling overseas to destinations that are reported by the World Health Organisation as countries at risk for yellow fever transmission.
The MOH said it also undertakes surveillance at the ports of entry in respect of people arriving from these destinations.
Yellow fever vaccines are available and administered at the Comprehensive Health Centre in Kingston and at the Montego Bay Type 5 Health Centre in St James.
The vaccine should be administered at least 10 days prior to travel.
Individuals may call the MOH, the nearest health centre or log on to its website moh.gov.jm for more information.
