Yellow Fever Cases Confirmed in São Paulo, Brazil in 2023: Latest Updates and Vaccination Information

31 mayo, 2023

After three years without registering cases of yellow feverthe state of São Paulo, Brazilconfirmed four cases in 2023, with two deaths.

The first case occurred in Vargem Grande do Sulin January: A 73-year-old rural resident was hospitalized and is currently recovering.

The second case was registered in the municipality of Sao Sebastiao da Grama, in February: a resident of Monte Santo de Minas (Minas Gerais state) was hospitalized in the city and died. The death was registered in the state of São Paulo.

The third case was also registered in São Sebastião da Grama, in February: a resident of Mococa, which is in recovery. The State Health Secretariat did not report whether the two cases in the municipality are related.

The fourth case occurred in April in Sao Joao da Boa Vista: a 44-year-old man, resident in the urban area, but who had been in the rural area days before presenting the symptoms, died from the disease.

According to the Secretary of State for Health, the state of São Paulo had not registered cases of yellow fever since 2020. Since the first case in the region, vaccination actions have been carried out in municipalities with cases and in neighbors, especially in the area rural.

Vaccination against yellow fever is part of the vaccination schedule and is available at all health posts in the state. The first dose of the vaccine should be given at 9 months of age and the second at 4 years. From the age of 5, for those who do not have the vaccine up to date, a single dose is recommended. This year, in the first three months, vaccination coverage against yellow fever is 82%, according to the State. In 2022, vaccination coverage was 64.4%.

Local risks Brazil

More information about yellow fever in Brazil

• In Brazil, vaccination against the disease is free (Vaccination coverage >96% is estimated, although there are areas such as Santa Catarina that do not reach 76% with great inequality).
• The following are considered risk areas for the disease: the entire states of Acre, Amapa, Amazonas, the Federal District (including the capital Brasilia), Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Rondonia, Roraima, Tocantins ; and some specific areas of the states of Bahia, Parana, Piaui, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Sao Paulo (state). Vaccination is also recommended for travelers to Iguazu Falls.
• Status report: