Yellow fever affected countries: what to know

Country lists are only a starting point. Risk may vary between regions within the same country, and can depend on whether you will be in cities, rural areas, forests, or places with more mosquito exposure. Season, the length of stay, accommodation, and planned outdoor activity also matter when a clinician gives individual travel advice.

Entry requirements and health recommendations are related but separate issues. A place may request proof of yellow fever vaccination because of your route, including a transit stop, even if your own planned activities do not create a substantial exposure concern. Check the whole journey rather than the final destination alone.

Arrange a travel-health consultation as early as possible and bring your destination list, dates, airport connections, and previous vaccination record. The clinician can discuss yellow fever vaccination suitability, documentation, and bite prevention. Share pregnancy, breastfeeding, immune-system conditions, allergies, and current medicines because they can affect a vaccine decision.

For mosquito-prone locations, plan practical protection such as suitable repellent, clothing that covers exposed skin where practical, and screened or netted sleeping areas when available. Recheck official travel and entry information close to departure, particularly if the itinerary changes.

Get urgent medical care for fever with severe headache, substantial muscle pain, repeated vomiting, confusion, bleeding, or yellowing of the skin or eyes during or after travel. Tell the care team about every country visited and the dates of travel. Seek prompt advice before leaving if you have a health condition that may affect vaccination suitability.

Ask whether any destination or transit point on your route creates a recommendation or entry requirement, and what documents you need to carry. Ask how your medical history affects vaccination, how to reduce mosquito bites, and whether other travel vaccines or medicines should be considered for the same itinerary.