CDC warns travelers about yellow fever outbreak in Ghana's Upper West Region

The CDC has issued a Level 2 travel notice for a yellow fever outbreak in Ghana's Upper West Region. It advises travelers to the region to get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel and take steps to prevent mosquito bites. Yellow fever spreads through the bites of infected mosquitoes.

The CDC says symptoms, including fever, chills, headache, backache and muscle aches, develop 3-6 days after infection. About 15% of people infected develop severe illness, which can lead to liver disease, bleeding, shock, organ failure, jaundice and sometimes death. Diagnosis is based on symptoms, laboratory testing and travel history. The CDC says there are no medications to treat or cure yellow fever.