What Is Yellow Fever?

Answer:

Yellow fever is a potentially fatal viral infection that's transmitted by mosquitoes in tropical regions. It has both an urban cycle and a jungle cycle that relies on monkeys as carriers ('sylvatic cycle').

Experts believe yellow fever originated in Africa and was introduced to South America via the slave trade in the 16th century. Several major yellow fever epidemics have taken place in Europe, the Americas and Africa since the 17th century. It was deemed one of the most dangerous infectious diseases in the 19th century.

There is no specific treatment for yellow fever. Persons with yellow fever should rest and drink plenty of fluids. They should be kept away from mosquitoes for the protection of others. Most people get better after a long recovery period.