Yellow Fever Is Preventable
Just Get Vaccinated

Yellow Fever, Malaria and Cholera are some of the main worries people have when traveling to South America, I hope this page helps in giving a little information on the prevention of unnecessary risk.

Disclaimer

I am not a health expert but only wish to share a little information and to make you aware that the sickness is present in Santa Marta and the surrounding area. I have received some of the information from Center for Disease Control. So do your own due diligence to protect your health.

Rainy season (January–May, with a peak in February and March are the times of highest risk.

The Magdalena region is one of the areas that it occurs so it is important to be vaccinated before arriving in Colombia although it is not a requirement to enter Colombia. The sickness is serious and all that is needed to prevent infection is a vaccination, so don't take a chance, get a vaccination and relax.

It gets its name from the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes known as jaundice due to liver failure. The disease is caused by a bite from an infected mosquito. Many of the infections are mild but not always so a life-threatening illness is possible.

Prevention
Vaccination A single dose provides protection for 30–35 years or more. The yellow fever vaccine will provide effective immunity within one week for 95% of those vaccinated.

The incubation period (time from infection to illness) is usually 3-6 days.

Symptoms of the illness

• high fever
• chills
• headache
• muscle aches
• vomiting
• backache

Treatment
There is no specific treatment just the treatment of dehydration and fever.

If your not vaccinated
Use insect repellent with DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 on exposed skin.
Wear long sleeves, pants, and socks, treat clothes with permethrin.
Do what you can to avoid mosquitos.

People who should not be vaccinated

• Children aged less than 9 months for routine immunization
• Pregnant women
• People with severe allergies to egg protein; and
• People with severe immunodeficiency

There are two types of Yellow Fever

• Jungle (From monkeys to mosquitos to humans).
• Urban (From people to mosquitoes to other humans) in cities, towns, and villages. Mosquitos thrive just the same as they do in North America
  • In standing water
  • Car tires
  • Barrels etc.
  • Oil Drums

Don't worry too much, enjoy your vacation, just take a few precautions to enjoy a healthy holiday. I never get sick when I am in Santa Marta.

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