Yellow Fever Virus May Be Circulating in Trinidad and Tobago

During routine surveillance activities, authorities found three forest monkeys who died from yellow fever infections. For the past 10 years, there were no signs of yellow fever virus in the country. Although no human cases have been reported, the finding of monkeys dead of yellow fever indicates that the sylvatic (forest) yellow fever virus transmission cycle is active currently. Anyone who is not vaccinated should obtain vaccination against this infection.

Visit our Health Library for more information on exposure to and the prevention of Yellow Fever.

In areas where the yellow fever virus is active, the risk for an unvaccinated traveller may be high. However, for the vaccinated traveller, the risk is essentially zero.

Travellers to areas where there is a risk of exposure to yellow fever can reduce that risk by obtaining a yellow fever vaccination 10 days before travelling. In addition, travellers should take all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Travellers are reminded that many other countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival for all travellers equal to or greater than 9-12 months of age arriving from a country where there is a risk of yellow fever.