Yellow fever

Yellow Fever Requirements

The Yelow Fever is an infectious vector-borne disease that is caused by a virus transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito vector such as Aedes Aegypti. South Africa has a risk of introduction of the disease as the mosquito vector exists in the country.

A vaccination against yellow fever is a requirement for a person whose journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America. According to international health regulations, a valid yellow fever certificate is required from all citizens and non-citizens over one year of age:

• Travelling from a yellow fever risk country;
• Having been in transit exceeding 12 hours, through the Airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission;
• Going to infected areas.

In order avoid the spreading of the disease in South Africa, the South African authorities require that all persons coming from (or travelling by) through the “yellow fever belt of Africa and South America” present an international yellow fever vaccination certificate upon arrival in the country. See list of countries concerned

The Yellow Fever Belt

For ease of reference the Yellow Fever Endemic Areas are (verify with your travel agent):

Every person arriving in South Africa from an endemic yellow fever area (included transit passengers) will be required to present a valid international yellow fever vaccination certificate or a letter from a doctor exempting the passenger from the vaccine explaining the reasons, which should be duly certified and translated into English. This requirement applies to every Argentinean travelling to South Africa.

The vaccine must be applied 10 (ten) days before travelling to SA, and it offers lifetime immunity. Those who do not exhibit the certificate on arrival must provide a medical certificate explaining why the person is excused. If not, they will be kept under a six day observation period or may be given the vaccine, in either case; they will have to assume the costs.

As a result, South Africa implements the following measures for all travellers from Yellow Fever risk countries who are unable to produce a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate at the port of entry:

• Refuse entry,
• Place traveller under quarantine until the certificate becomes valid.