...travellers from hotspot areas required to show proof of vaccination
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Ministry of Health is urging residents of the Federation who plan to travel to yellow fever hotspot locations to ensure they are vaccinated, as proof of vaccination may be required upon their return to St. Kitts and Nevis.
This advisory follows reports of yellow fever-related deaths in the hemisphere. The disease is spread through the bite of infected Aedes or Haemagogus species mosquitoes.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mosquitoes acquire the virus by feeding on infected primates—both human and non-human—and can then transmit it to others.
In a recent statement, the Ministry of Health confirmed 61 cases of yellow fever last year, with reports originating from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, and Peru. Of those cases, 30 resulted in death.
Additionally, in January of this year, 17 new cases were confirmed in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, with seven fatalities.
As a precautionary measure, the ministry is advising all travelers departing from St. Kitts and Nevis to affected countries—or any area where yellow fever vaccination is recommended—to get vaccinated at least 10 days before departure.
Several countries are expected to implement stricter entry requirements, including mandatory proof of vaccination. As a result, the ministry has issued the following advisory:
Proof of vaccination (Yellow Fever Vaccination Card) must be presented to local immigration officers upon request when returning to St. Kitts and Nevis from affected areas, the ministry noted.
The ministry also that travelers who have transited for more than 12 hours through an airport in a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission will also be required to show proof of vaccination.
The ministry has not specified what penalties may apply to travelers who fail to present proof of vaccination. It is also unclear whether unvaccinated individuals will be subject to quarantine for the five-day incubation period to determine if they are carriers of the virus.
Over the past two years, the hemisphere has experienced an increase in mosquito-borne illnesses, largely attributed to climate change. Experts cite rising temperatures, unseasonable rainfall, and increased travel as factors contributing to the resurgence of these diseases in areas where they were previously uncommon.
St. Kitts and Nevis recently faced a resurgence of dengue fever, with a significant number of cases reported last year.
The Ministry of Health reassures the public that the yellow fever vaccine is "safe, highly effective", and provides lifelong immunity with a single dose.
Vaccinations are available at the Basseterre Health Center and the Charlestown Health Center and will be administered on a scheduled basis.
Residents are strongly encouraged to take the necessary precautions and stay informed about travel health advisories.
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