Yellow Fever in Nigeria

Warning - Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel

Alert - Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions

Watch - Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions

What is the current situation?

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has reported an ongoing outbreak of yellow fever that began in September 2017. Laboratory-confirmed yellow fever cases have been reported in at least seven states, and a number of people have died.

In response to this outbreak, Nigerian health authorities conducted mass vaccination campaigns in several affected states at the end of 2017. Additional mass vaccination campaigns are planned for other affected states starting in early 2018.

What can travelers do to prevent yellow fever?

CDC recommends anyone 9 months or older who travels to any part of Nigeria should be vaccinated against yellow fever. In addition, Nigerian authorities require proof of yellow fever vaccination from all people one year of age or older who are traveling to Nigeria and are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever virus transmission.

Because of current limitations in the availability of yellow fever vaccine in the United States, travelers should contact a yellow fever vaccine provider well in advance of travel.