Description of the situation
23 November 1999
Disease Outbreak Reported
A 48-year-old unvaccinated man travelling in Bolivar state (Venezuela) became ill on 23 September and returned to California on 25 September. He was hospitalized on 27 September with fulminant hepatitis and renal failure, and died on 4 October. Yellow fever was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and PCR. The Venezuelan authorities were informed and a field investigation is under way. This event serves once more to illustrate the vital importance for travellers to have yellow fever vaccination before visiting endemic areas.