Update on Yellow Fever in the Context of the Re-emergence of the Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Yellow fever has become a reemerging disease and a public health problem. It is estimated that it affects more than 200,000 people annually in the tropical regions of Africa, South America and Central America, with at least 30,000 deaths. There are 47 endemic countries, 34 of them on the African continent, which contribute more than 90% of morbidity and mortality from yellow fever on the planet. Those who travel to places where the disease is endemic can import it to other countries.

Objective: To collect up-to-date scientific information on yellow fever in the context of its re-emergence.

Methods: A synthesis of the scientific information available in the medical literature on the disease was carried out. Different search engines and databases were consulted, such as PubMed, Ebsco, Scielo, ClinicalKey and Google Scholar. The search period was from January to May 2019.

Conclusions: The circulation of the yellow fever virus continues to increase in a disconcerting way in human populations, both in Africa and in South and Central America. In the field of its re-emergence, the sustainability of reliable surveillance systems, combined with disease control programs, is not enough. The dissemination of the scientific knowledge achieved can contribute to the permanent updating of health personnel in order to achieve an effective action that leads to the reduction of morbidity and mortality from this disease in the world population.