How is the current situation about yellow fever in Rio de Janeiro? CDC says the vaccine is recommended but I wasn't able to get it. I will mostly stay in Rio de Janeiro city but also thinking of going to Ilha Grande for few days. Will for sure use insect repellents but most of the reported yellow fever cases seem to have happened around March 2018. Just wanted to see if someone has any updates on this matter. Thanks a lot!
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878 helpful votes For me it is not recommended it is mandatory. Countries like Colombia or Panama do not allow you to enter the country if you are coming from Brazil without having proof of vaccination. Brazil left this risk in the hands of God so during March 2018 the mosquito that spreads the disease started to make victims on Ilha Grande and I am talking here about foreign travellers. The disease can be deadly so don’t joke with it. Most of the foreign travellers that died from yellow fever this year contracted the disease on Ilha Grande.
Miki
Edited: 5 years agowelcome,
you were not able to get it or cant get the vaccine?
can do get the vaccine at a later time before your departure which you dont say? The vaccine needs 2 weeks to become effective.
good luck
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138 helpful votes Yellow Fever is still very much a problem in Brazil. You should be all right in Rio if you use insect repellents, but I would advise you not to go to Ilha Grande if you haven't had the vaccine. When are you coming to Brazil?
In Brazil, yellow fever has a seasonal pattern, based on historical analysis of human cases and epizootics due to yellow fever in the past 20 years, with two different periods: higher transmission occurring between December and May (seasonal period) and lower or interrupted transmission occurring between June and November.
I am visiting Rio in April 2019. I have decided to take the yellow fever vaccine before travel. Not worth taking the risk.
Without vaccine fatality rate is 20%. With vaccine 0.05%. So it is a very big difference between with and without vaccine.
If youc can't get vaccine, skip Ilha Grande.
As mentioned before, I would not risk going to Ilha Grande without the vaccination.
Otherwise just stay in the city. Most cases, if not all, in Ilha Grande were foreigners.
What about iguazu falls? What is the yellow fever situation there?
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138 helpful votes k d: Post your question on the Foz doIguacu forum:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g303444-i4551-Foz_do_Iguacu_State_of_Parana.html
I came from Chile, and it was not a requirement. I also visited Ilha Grande and forgot to carry insect repellant. While I am OK, I do think it's worth it just to get the vaccine to avoid potential problems in the future.
I visited Rio de Janeiro and Iguazu Falls in early March 2018. During my stay in Rio de Janeiro, I visited Rio beaches and landmarks on surrounding hills. In Iguazu Falls, I visited Iguazu falls on both Brazil and Argentine sides. Those places were filled with tourists from all over the world who were enjoying themselves without worrying about yellow fever mosquitoes. Personally I did not come across any mosquitoes in those places. As for IIha Grande, I cannot say much about the place, because I did not visit the island. In any event, getting yellow fever vaccination and carrying insect repellant spray can give peace of mind to those who are serious risk averters.
During my visit there, Yellow Fever vaccination was not required to enter Brazil, and it was not required to enter Argentine from Brazil either. Since, however, Yellow Fever is a devastating and potentially fatal disease, I took Yellow Fever vaccination in advance anyway, especially because Yellow Fever vaccination would give me lifetime protection from the disease. U.S. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) issues information on the disease and vaccination, and it advises who should not get the vaccination; e.g. infants below 6 months, seniors age 60 or above, those with weakened immunity, those with egg allergy, etc. Those with any of these vaccination risk groups may request a "Waiver Letter" from their doctors, and present it at the border if vaccination certificate is required. The problem with such "Waiver Letter" is clear. Since Yellow Fever mosquitoes won't be able to read the waiver letter, the mosquitoes won't waive the letter holders from being attacked.^^ In any case, don't worry, and enjoy your visit to Rio and possibly Iguazu Falls which are fantastic places.
I'm shocked that Rokatoo has not yet commented on this thread yet. He is following every development of the YF issue hour by hour!
