Five Yellow Fever Fatalities Confirmed in Northeast Brazil

Located on Brazil's northern coast, Marajó Island has been reporting yellow fever outbreaks for two decades. Recently, a severe outbreak has been confirmed.

As of March 7, 2025, Brazil's Ministry of Health confirmed 37 cases and five related deaths from the mosquito-transmitted yellow fever disease in the Belém area of Pará this year.

This area has about 500,000 residents and welcomes thousands of eco-friendly tourists annually.

Yellow fever is an acute infectious febrile disease that can be prevented with a vaccine. It progresses rapidly and has variable severity, and in its most severe forms, it can be fatal.

Locally acquired YF cases are seldom reported in the United States, but travel-related cases were reported in 2024.

Vaccination has been the primary prevention strategy in Brazil since 2014. Currently, yellow fever (YF) vaccination coverage is 72.6%.

YF vaccines are free of charge to the entire population. Since April 2017, Brazil has adopted a single-dose regimen throughout life, following the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations.

The Ministry of Health sent 442,400 doses to Pará in 2025 alone to reinforce YF immunization.

The WHO, U.S. CDC, and Brazil have issued vaccination requirements to enter various countries in the Region of the Americas. YF vaccination services are offered at certified travel clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.