Yellow Fever: A Historical Perspective on a Modern Threat

When a deadly disease come to mind, one may think of Ebola or MERS, but for centuries—before either of those diseases were born—Yellow Fever wreaked havoc as one of the most deadly and rapidly spreading diseases. Unlike many illnesses associated with age or weakness, Yellow Fever affects seemingly healthy people; mostly men who work outdoors especially in tropical environments (i.e. loggers, farmers, construction workers) (“Yellow Fever” Gale Encyclopedia). This is because yellow fever—a virus—is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito. Although it has been mostly eradicated from North America and Europe, millions of people are at risk to yellow fever every day, mostly in Sub-Saharan Equatorial Africa or South America (“Yellow Fever” World

If they are infected, an incubation period of 3-6 days follows in which no symptoms are present (“Yellow Fever” Gale Encyclopedia). This period of time can sometimes be most dangerous since the infected individual may continue to work and interact normally with others. Therefore, if they continue to work outdoors, mosquitos may transmit their blood—and the Yellow Fever disease—to others. This shows how in campsites or close working quarters, groups of working men can quickly circulate the disease. In a matter of days, Yellow Fever can spread through a population. This period of incubation is followed by an abrupt onset of symptoms including, fever (for which the disease is named), chills, intense headaches, white coating of the red and swollen tongue, and Faget’s sign (slowed heart-rate coupled with high fever) (“Yellow Fever” Center for Disease Control). After the invasion period, the patient may appear to recover as symptoms dissipate and fever decreases for hours or even days. For some the disease is over, but for others a more severe stage will soon

During this time, the most serious symptoms occur. The classic trio of Yellow Fever is Jaundice—yellowing of the skin due to liver failure, black vomit—named because of the presence of blood within the vomit produces a dark black color, and protein in urine which occurs due to kidney malfunction (“Yellow Fever—Timeline”). Hemorrhaging of the internal organs may also occur and lead to large amounts of bleeding. Although only a small number of patients develop symptoms this severe, jaundice (especially if coupled with the other symptoms) is an accurate indicator of death; the fatality rate of Yellow Fever patients with jaundice is 20-50%. The intoxication phase will likely last 3-9 days, and if the patient lives, they will recover after a short period without any lasting complications from their bout with Yellow Fever. Also, after having yellow fever, one will receive full, lifetime immunity to future infection from the disease (“Yellow Fever” Gale