Corporate travellers warned of yellow fever risks in Brazil

Companies with employees travelling to Brazil should put in place additional risk mitigation measures following a significant rise in cases of yellow fever in the country, warns Intana Global, the corporate assistance arm of Collinson Group. Intana Global has issued an urgent advisory notice following an outbreak of yellow fever, which is carried by mosquitoes and is potentially fatal. The initial outbreak in January originated in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. While it has been contained in rural areas and southern states, Intana Global said it is concerned about “the potentially alarming prospect of a widespread transmission of the virus in urban areas”. Intana Global said areas previously considered at low risk of outbreak have recorded cases of yellow fever since the beginning of this year. A vaccination programme has been put in place by Brazilian health authorities. However, Intana Global explained that the country also faces outbreaks of chikungunya, dengue fever and the Zika virus. “Travellers to the country are facing additional threats,” it said. Intana Global said companies with staff travelling to Brazil should conduct employee risk assessments before travel, monitor the changing threats and take precautions, including vaccination, to protect the health and safety of their staff. Dr Gurp Sidhu, group medical doctor at Intana Global, said: “Since yellow fever has been present in Brazil for a very long time, there is a real danger that people could overlook the threat.” He added: “With the rapid spread of the virus in recent months, businesses and leisure travellers alike need to reappraise the risk as a very real health threat and take adequate precautions prior to their trip and during their stay in the country.” Top key facts and recommendations from Intanta Global: –As of 10 March 2017, a total of 1,456 cases (378 confirmed) and 241 deaths (127 confirmed) have been reported across largely jungle and rural areas from yellow fever – but there is concern that the virus could spread into urban centres, which will pose an increased threat to business and leisure travellers alike. –Vaccinations are recommended for those visiting affected areas and should be administered at least 10 days before travel. –However, due to specific undesirable effects associated with the vaccination, the inoculation is not suitable for all travellers and is not recommended for those who travel outside of affected areas. An individual risk assessment with a healthcare professional specialised in travel health is therefore recommended 6-8 weeks prior to travel. –Travellers should wear loose-fitting clothes with long trousers and long sleeves. –Travellers should sleep under an intact mosquito net if not in air-conditioned accommodation. Nets should be impregnated with a contact insecticide (such as permethrin). –Scrupulous insect bite avoidance measures should be adhered to during day and night hours, especially in view of the simultaneous outbreaks of chikungunya, dengue and Zika. –Travellers who experience any fever or flu-like illness after returning home from Brazil should seek immediate medical advice and inform their doctor about their visit to South America. –Travellers over nine months of age arriving in Brazil from Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are required to present a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Corporate travellers warned of yellow fever risks in Brazil

Want to read this article?

Read Next

Markel names head of terrorism in London

Insurers defend Nord Stream’s €400m lawsuit as act of war

Generali splits insurance and asset management in restructure

AEGIS London recruits cyber underwriting team from AIG

German SMEs record rise in cyberattacks, reveals HDI poll

Markel names head of terrorism in London

Insurers defend Nord Stream’s €400m lawsuit as act of war

Generali splits insurance and asset management in restructure

AEGIS London recruits cyber underwriting team from AIG

German SMEs record rise in cyberattacks, reveals HDI poll

Want to read this article?

Read Next

Markel names head of terrorism in London

Insurers defend Nord Stream’s €400m lawsuit as act of war

Generali splits insurance and asset management in restructure

AEGIS London recruits cyber underwriting team from AIG

German SMEs record rise in cyberattacks, reveals HDI poll

Related Articles