What is Yellow Fever?
The yellow fever virus occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa and South America and is spread by the bite from an infected mosquito.
Symptoms vary from a fever with aches and pains up to severe liver disease including internal bleeding and jaundice (yellowing skin – hence the name).
After hearing about their symptoms and travel history, a Doctor will require a laboratory test to properly diagnose and confirm that the patient does have Yellow Fever.
NO CURE
There is no medicine to treat or cure the infection, therefore; PREVENTION is key and the Yellow Fever Vaccination has been doing that for over 60 years.
Other recommendations fall under the usual “Avoid Mosquito Bites” type of advice, such as; use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
ENTRY to NICARAGUA
Nicaragua is NOT an At Risk Country – Lets Keep It That Way!
Travelers (over the age of 1 year old) entering Nicaragua from a country at risk of yellow fever transmission will be required to produce their INTERNATIONAL VACCINATION CERTIFICATE AGAINST YELLOW FEVER. The application date of the vaccine must be “at least ten (10) days before arrival in Nicaragua”.
(Travelers entering Nicaragua and who have visited a country at risk of yellow fever transmission are not required to present the International Certificate if more than 10 days have elapsed since they left that country and they have no symptoms.)
Likewise, the certificate will not be requested from travelers who were “In Transit” (flight connection) through an at risk country (deemed by WHO to mean no more than 12 hours in the airport).
Other Exemptions
Upon presentation of proof from a health care authority, people with egg allergies, immune system issues or who are older than 60 years may obtain an exemption. Also, exempt by medical certification are pregnant and lactating women.
At Risk Countries
The list of countries defined by PAHO/WHO as having active transmissions of yellow fever are;
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.
Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Sudan, Togo and Uganda.
Application of Vaccine in Nicaragua
If you are in Nicaragua and wish to travel to an “at risk country”, you can get your Yellow Fever shot here in Nicaragua.
The MINSA approved location is at the Doctora Concepción Palacios National Health Complex in Managua. The cost to have the vaccination applied is US $30 Dollars.
Currently the vaccine will be applied on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 am to 4 pm, in the medical office of the Concepción Palacios Complex.
The vaccine should be applied at least 10 days before traveling to the endemic country to ensure the required protection (single dose). You will receive your proof of vaccination certificate at that time.
PHO
Nicaragua is aligned with the Pan American Health Organization which is known by its acronym; PAHO.
As well as being the international organization specializing in public health in the Americas, PAHO serves as the regional office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).
In relation to Yellow Fever, PAHO provides technical cooperation to health and government agencies in the region to help control this disease that can travel across borders and disrupt the sustainability of health systems.
