Yellow fever, a potentially deadly, mosquito-borne disease that in its severe form kills 60% of those who contract it, is making a comeback. Experts warn the U.S. is not prepared for the potential scourge that is making is way north from the tropics along with other diseases such as malaria, dengue and leishmaniasis.
According to the New York Post, although an effective vaccine is available for yellow fever, we have a limited supply and the jab can cause a reaction in some people.
“Currently, the U.S. population is nearly entirely unvaccinated against yellow fever, and there are no vaccine doses in the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile,” wrote the authors of a report published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
“During a sizable epidemic, yellow fever could tear quickly through unimmunized populations across the American South,” said the authors. “And it is unlikely that the U.S. government would be prepared to acquire and distribute vaccines in a timely manner, even if there was public demand.” They explained that during the 1800’s, yellow fever, also known as “yellow jack” wreaked havoc in southern U.S. coastal cities and those on the Mississippi River.
Researchers say that climate change and economic factors can affect the spread of yellow fever and other mosquito-borne diseases, threatening towns like Galveston, Corpus Christi, and Houston, Texas; Mobile, Alabama, New Orleans; Miami and Tampa, Florida. Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine says that in low-income neighborhoods where there is a lot of tire dumping, water left stagnant in the tires becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes love warm temperatures, but they don’t do well in droughts, said Dawn Wesson, an expert in mosquito-borne diseases and an assistant professor at Tulane University School of Public Health. “Climate change that results in severe drought can have a negative effect on the mosquito population, but hot weather and rain are perfect for mosquitoes.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccination for people aged nine months and older who are traveling or reside in areas at risk for the yellow fever virus.
The Cleveland Clinic explains that the condition causes 30,0000 deaths each year, mostly in Africa. Symptoms include mild, flu-like symptoms with aches, pain, and fever. Very severe symptoms may include jaundice, bleeding, liver and kidney failure, prior to death.
To protect yourself against yellow fever, wear protective clothing and insect repellent to deter mosquitoes. Get the vaccine if you are traveling to an area where yellow fever is common, says the Post. Wesson adds that dumping water from plant saucers and removing other sources of standing water is important to prevent the growth of mosquito larvae.
“We believe yellow fever should be prioritized as part of our national pandemic-preparedness efforts, given that the conditions are now in place for yellow jack to return and sicken many people in southern U.S. cities,” said the authors of the report.