The Spread Of Yellow Fever In Africa And South America

What is yellow fever?

Yellow Fever is a virus that is found in tropical areas of both Africa and South America (Monath 160). It is found in 47 countries in both those areas (WHO 1). It is generally called “Yellow Fever” because of its medical symptoms such as the yellowing of skin and eyes that affect many people (WHO 1).

While Yellow Fever had existed in the 1690s, the first serious known case of Yellow Fever is in the breakout in Philadelphia in America of the year 1793 where black refugees from the Caribbean spread the disease which killed 5,000 people (History.com Staff 1) Although they were having difficulties dealing with the virus, cold weather helped get rid of the mosquitos and lower the percentage of deaths per month (History.com

The reason mosquitos and ticks retract the virus is because they feed on monkeys carrying the virus. Since it is carried by insects that feed on human blood, the disease is then transmitted to humans. Because these insects accumulate the virus and are usually around the common people, they spread the Yellow Fever disease to the people residing in the areas as well as travelers who end up taking the viral infection with them back to their home country where the disease does not normally reside and where a possible epidemic may occur besides the one already happening in the area it comes from (Monath 162). Certain beginning symptoms involve fever, muscle pain, back pain, headaches, bleeding, vomiting, etc. (WHO 1) In the “toxic phase” however, people develop the yellowing of skin and eyes known as “jaundice”, dark urine, and more vomiting. (WHO 1). After that stage, about half of patients die in the duration of 7-10 days as their livers and kidneys stop

An example of what they may use to stay hygienic is proper clothing in order to be covered and protect themselves insects carrying the disease. Another is providing them with insect repellant to help with skin that is exposed. If they get to know what the disease is and the symptoms that come with it, they can instantly go for a check up and being in the early stages of Yellow Fever is less dangerous than having people in the toxic phase. Also, if information is spread, common people could make sure families and other people around them are informed as