Yellow fever in Nigeria

Released: October 02, 2019

Current Situation

An outbreak of yellow fever has been ongoing in Nigeria since September 2017. Since then, the outbreak has spread throughout the country, with the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control now reporting cases in all 36 states and in the Federal Capital Territory.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is a vaccine preventable disease. It is caused by a virus which is spread to humans by the bites of infected mosquitoes. Mosquitoes that spread yellow fever typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.

Initial symptoms can take 3 to 6 days to appear, and may include:

• fever,
• chills,
• headache,
• backache,
• muscle pain,  
• joint pain,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• mild jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes),
• stomach pain.

Most people recover after this stage. If you have had yellow fever once, you can't get it again.

In some cases, the disease progresses to a severe stage. Symptoms may include shock, internal bleeding, jaundice, organ failure, and death.

There is no treatment for yellow fever. Care of an infected person is based on managing the symptoms. The most effective way to prevent yellow fever is to get vaccinated.

Recommendations

Before your trip

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic at least 6 weeks before you travel.

Vaccination is recommended for anyone 9 months of age or older travelling to any area with a known or potential risk for yellow fever transmission, including Nigeria.

• There is currently a shortage of the yellow fever vaccine in Canada. Contact a Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre at least 6 weeks before you travel to make sure that the vaccine is available.
   
• Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Nigeria. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travelling to Nigeria. The vaccine takes 10 days to take effect.
   
• When you get vaccinated, you will be provided with written proof of yellow fever vaccination in the form of an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. The certificate is not valid until 10 days after the vaccine is administered. You will need to travel with this certificate.

During your trip

Protect yourself from insect bites at all times, especially around sunrise and sunset, even if you have received the yellow fever vaccine.

• Wear long sleeves and long pants to cover skin.
• Apply insect repellents as directed on the label.

What to do if you become ill

If you develop symptoms of yellow fever when travelling or after you return:

• see a health care professional
• tell them where you have been travelling or living

Information for health care professionals 

The Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT) has developed a Statement for Travellers and Yellow Fever. In addition, CATMAT has developed Interim Canadian recommendations for the use of fractional dose of yellow fever vaccine during a vaccine shortage. This statement is for use during yellow fever vaccine shortages only.

Registration of Canadians Abroad

Sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to stay connected with the Government of Canada in case of an emergency abroad or an emergency at home.