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Yellow fever: prevention
Last reviewed: 18.10.2021
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Specific prevention of yellow fever
Prevention of yellow fever is the immunization of the population. To this end, two live vaccines are used, in particular a vaccine based on strain 17D, obtained by prolonged passage of the virus in a cell culture. The vaccine, which was created on the basis of the adapted Dakar strain adapted for serial mice, received less spread. This strain expresses residual virulence, therefore, when immunization is carried out, the human immune serum is first introduced.
The vaccine based on strain 17D is very effective. Revaccination should be done once every 10 years.
To prevent the spread of yellow fever under the existing International Health Regulations, it is necessary to take into account all cases of the disease.
Persons going to the zone endemic for this disease should be vaccinated. This is mandatory for people leaving this zone.
To prevent the spread of mosquitoes, aircraft and ships visiting the endemic for yellow fever or A. Aegypti distribution sites are subjected to mandatory disinsection. Of great importance is the identification of the first cases of the disease. On the recommendation of the WHO, it should be assumed in the detection of cases of acute fever with the development of jaundice within 2 weeks after the onset of the disease, accompanied by bleeding or death within 3 weeks.
Nonspecific prevention of yellow fever
For the complete elimination of outbreaks of yellow fever, a scientifically grounded and persistent struggle against the vectors of the pathogen - mosquitoes - is necessary. As experience of practical work in endemic foci has shown, in most cases it is sufficient to significantly reduce the population of the vector carrier - there is a so-called critical density, in which the cycle of transmission of pathogens is completely interrupted. The complete elimination of vectors in certain areas is not carried out not only because of economic inexpediency and administrative problems, but also because of the danger of irreversible changes in existing biocenotic connections.
Nevertheless, the example of the complete elimination of A. Aegypti in the urban environment of a number of countries in Central and South America, and especially in the United States , is convincing enough . It is more difficult to fight mosquitoes in rural areas and forest areas, in particular outside the human dwelling or in the forest.
To achieve a rapid effect of the destruction of adult insects, chemical insecticides are used. The most widespread organophosphorus compounds, in particular malathion. No less successful can be the destruction of mosquitoes with the help of various preparations of the group of pyrethroids. Their effectiveness in comparison with organophosphorus insecticides is approximately two orders of magnitude higher.
In recent years, preparations prepared on the basis of the cultures of You have become widespread . thuringiensis, used to kill mosquitoes in the larval stage of development.
There are special methods of protecting a person from mosquito bites - nets that cover naked parts of the body (especially the head and neck) or a bed. Nets, clothing and individual areas of the body should be treated with repellents.
To prevent the spread of the pathogen, measures should be taken to prevent the sick person from contacting the vectors.