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Yellow Fever Vaccination Campaign in Kinshasa
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Yellow fever can be prevented with a vaccine - yet it's a disease that claims the lives of an estimated 30,000 - 60,000 people each year.

Yellow fever is an acute haemorrhagic infection transmitted by the bite of a mosquito. There is no specific treatment for it. A number of severe outbreaks around the world in the 19th and 20th centuries led to the development of a highly effective vaccine. Systematic vaccination campaigns have considerably reduced yellow fever epidemics but sub-optimal vaccination coverage across several countries in Africa has allowed new outbreaks of the disease to emerge.

Most people only develop a mild form of the disease, with symptoms including fever, headache, muscle pain and nausea. After three or four days, they start to recover. But a small percentage of people enter a second phase that can be fatal.

In 2022

Quick facts about yellow fever

 
Sudan

Nearly 200,000 people vaccinated against yellow fever in Kordofan, Sudan, in two weeks

Project Update 28 Dec 2005
 
Colombia

In Colombia, MSF works against yellow fever outbreak

Project Update 9 Apr 2003
 
Guinea

Yellow fever alert in Guinea

Project Update 7 Feb 2003
 
Guinea

Vaccines urgently needed to treat yellow fever epidemic

Voices from the Field 18 Dec 2000
 
Guinea

MSF working at yellow fever outbreak in Guinea

Project Update 29 Nov 2000
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We produce important research based on our field experience. So far, we have published articles in over 100 peer-reviewed journals. These articles have often changed clinical practice and have been used for humanitarian advocacy. All of these articles can be found on our dedicated Field Research website.

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20 January 2020