Public health officials in Brazil suspect that a yellow fever outbreak centered in Minas Gerais has resulted in 550 suspected and 72 confirmed cases, and 40 confirmed deaths. Three of the deaths have been reported in neighboring Sao Paulo state, but were reportedly contracted in the endemic area.
Yellow fever is primarily spread through contact with infected mosquitos. According to multiple health organizations, the best way to prevent yellow fever is through vaccination. Therefore, the Government of Brazil and the The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend yellow fever vaccination for travelers to the affected areas.
Affected areas include: all areas of Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Distrito Federal (including the capital city of Brasília), Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, and Tocantins.
Vaccination is also recommended for designated areas of the following states: Bahia, Paraná, Piauí, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and São Paulo.
Immigration officials in various countries are requiring that travelers originating in Brazil show evidence that they have received the yellow fever vaccine. If you are planning an international trip, you should verify in advance whether such a requirement exists, and plan accordingly.
A locally made vaccine is on the World Health Organization pre-approval list and is available at public vaccination clinics in Brazil.
A private provider of travel medicine and vaccination services in the United States, Passport Health, with 250+ locations across North America, has the yellow fever vaccine in-stock and ready for travelers as well.
You can see a full list of countries where the vaccine is recommended or required for travel as well as learn more about the virus at https://www.passporthealthusa.com/vaccinations/yellow-fever/
Further information on the yellow fever virus can be found on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov).