Yellow fever kills 13 in Brazil since December
GENEVA, Feb 8 (Reuters) - An outbreak of yellow fever has struck 48 people in Brazil, killing 13 of them since mid-December, the World Health Organisation said on Friday.
The mosquito-borne disease -- which causes high fever, headaches, vomiting and muscle pain -- has been confirmed in the three states Goias, Brasilia and Mato Gross do Sul, the WHO said.
"It is quite a serious outbreak," WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib told a news briefing in Geneva. A national vaccination campaign is targeting about 7 million people in the most affected areas, she said.
"There is a very efficient vaccine so if people are vaccinated they are protected for 10 years," she said.
Brazil has suspended exports of yellow fever vaccine from Bio-Manguinhos to respond to the outbreak, the WHO said in a statement.
The human yellow fever outbreak follows one in monkeys that started in April 2007 which has spread to 80 municipalities, according to the United Nations agency.
Brazilian authorities have warned tourists travelling to Brazilian forests, national parks and rural areas to get vaccinated at least 10 days before their trips. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Michael Winfrey)
