Health reviews Yellow Fever requirements

Travellers from Zambia; Tanzania; Eritrea; Somalia; Sao Tome and Principe will no longer be required to produce proof of the yellow fever certificate when coming to South Africa after they were included on the World Health Organisation Low risk yellow fever countries list.

During the 136th session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Executive Board meeting, a review of countries with risk of Yellow Fever transmission and countries requiring Yellow Fever vaccination was conducted and based on the recommendations of the meeting, all travellers arriving into the country from these countries will not be required to produce proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever.

This provision is with immediate effect.

In line with the International Health Regulations, 2005 South Africa requires a valid Yellow Fever certificate from all citizens and non citizens over one year of age:

  • travelling from a Yellow Fever risk country; or
  • having been in transit exceeding 12 hours, through the airport of a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission.

The International Health Regulations (2005) requires countries at risk of Yellow Fever introduction to employ the following measures:

1. Obtain vaccination certificates from individuals travelling from areas determined by the WHO to be at risk of Yellow Fever transmission. As a result, South Africa implements the following measures for all travellers from Yellow Fever risk countries who are unable to produce a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate at the point of entry:

  • Refuse entry; or
  • Place traveller under quarantine surveillance until their certificate becomes valid, or for a period of not more than six days.

Travellers who are in possession of an exemption certificate due to medical reasons will be:

  • allowed entry
  • required to report any fever or other symptoms to the health authorities; and
  • be placed under quarantine surveillance.

2. Disinsection of aircraft, ships, tyre casing consignments and other modes of transportation coming from a Yellow Fever risk area.

NB: Definition of a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate-Vaccine should be approved by the WHO and administered at least 10 days before departure to South Africa at a Yellow Fever approved vaccination centre. The vaccine offers protection 10 days after administration.

Enquiries:
Joe Maila
Cell: 082 887 3581
E-mail: mailaj@health.gov.za / health. spokesperson@gmail.com
Twitter: @mjmaila @HealthZA

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