Investigation of yellow fever epidemics in Africa

Overview

This field guide is intended for health professionals working at the central and peripheral levels (physicians, health workers and decision-makers) who have to deal with a case of yellow fever in Africa.

Its main objective is to help standardize investigations of yellow fever epidemics. At the national level, this should improve management of epidemics and at the international level facilitate comparative analyses of outbreaks of this disease.

Its specific objectives are the following:

• to provide basic practical information on yellow fever.
• to go over the different steps of epidemiological, entomological and virological investigation.
• to present an analytical method that makes it possible to bring together the information essential for taking decisions.

The document provides a framework for users, who will be able to adapt it to local conditions.