The Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Health (MOH) reports the confirmation of yellow fever in a deceased Red Howler monkey.
Health officials note there in no human yellow fever cases.
Yellow fever virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, including the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Non-human primates, like the Red Howler monkey, can serve as an early indicator of the presence of the virus in the environment.
While there are no human cases, this case does signal the need for a heightened vigilance and preventive action.
The MOH has conducted surveillance and vector control measures in the affected areas and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Yellow fever is a severe viral disease with jaundice and hemorrhagic manifestations that is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
Yellow fever vaccine is the best protection against this disease. Preventing mosquito bites is also important.
Symptoms of yellow fever include fever, chills, headache, backache, and muscle aches, and develop 3–6 days after infection. About 15% of people infected with yellow fever virus will develop severe illness that can lead to liver disease, bleeding, shock, organ failure, yellowing skin and eyes (jaundice), and sometimes death.
There are no medications to treat or cure yellow fever.