What should you know about yellow fever in infants?

Yellow fever is spread by infected mosquitoes. Infants cannot explain early symptoms, and fever, poor feeding, sleepiness, vomiting, or irritability can have many causes. That makes preparation and prompt assessment particularly important when an infant has travelled in a risk area.

Vaccine suitability in a baby depends on age, destination risk, timing of travel, and medical history. A clinician may discuss whether travel can be postponed, whether vaccination is appropriate, and how to reduce bites throughout the journey.

Book a paediatric or travel-health appointment before finalising travel where possible. Bring the infant’s vaccination record, details of all countries and transit stops, planned accommodation, current medicines, allergies, and any history of premature birth or immune problems.

Choose accommodation with effective barriers against mosquitoes when available. Ask a clinician which repellent and protective clothing approach is suitable for your child’s age. Keep the infant covered from bites with lightweight clothing and use a properly fitted physical barrier over a pram or cot when appropriate.

Seek urgent medical assessment for an infant with fever after travel in a yellow fever risk area, particularly if there is poor feeding, repeated vomiting, unusual drowsiness, difficulty waking, breathing difficulty, a seizure, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or bleeding. Do not wait to see whether symptoms settle.

Tell the treating team where the infant travelled and when, even if mosquito bites were not noticed. This helps them consider travel-related infections alongside common childhood illnesses.

Ask whether the itinerary poses a yellow fever concern for your infant, whether the trip should be delayed, which vaccines are suitable, and what bite-prevention products can be used safely. Ask how to access care at the destination if your child becomes unwell.