SA short of yellow fever vaccine

The high demand for yellow fever vaccines has led to a shortage, the department of health says.

"The supplier of yellow fever vaccines has informed the department that demands have exceeded supply and there is currently a shortage in the country," said spokesman Fidel Hadebe said in a statement.

The situation was expected to be rectified by next month.

South Africans travelling to areas prone to the virus were advised to postpone their trips, he said.

If this was not possible, travellers should seek medical advice on preventative measures.

As mosquitoes carried the virus, applying insect repellent and sleeping under mosquito nets would help to prevent transmission, Hadebe said.

Zambia was not at present one of the countries from which South Africa required yellow fever certificates, but the public would be informed if this changed.

The symptoms of yellow fever include a sudden onset of fever, headache, backache, nausea, vomiting and jaundice.

In severe cases nosebleeds and the presence of blood in vomit and stools also manifest.

The symptoms were easily confused with other viral infections, Hadebe said.

More information on yellow fever are available on the department's website www.doh.gov.za.