Final answer:
Yellow fever is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and causes symptoms ranging from mild fever to severe organ failure. Prevention through vaccines and mosquito control is key as there is no specific treatment. Control efforts have eradicated yellow fever from the US, but it remains prevalent in some tropical regions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yellow fever is a potentially fatal infectious disease caused by the yellow fever virus, belonging to the genus Flavivirus. It is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. Historically, yellow fever was prevalent in the US during the 18th and 19th centuries with serious outbreaks. Through vector control and vaccination efforts, it has been effectively eradicated in the US. However, yellow fever still persists in certain tropical regions of Africa and South America.
Symptoms of yellow fever range from mild to severe. The virus can cause high fever, jaundice, bleeding, and multiple organ failure, which may lead to death. The severe form of the disease is known as malignant yellow fever. Even after recovery, patients may become susceptible to further complications like bacterial superinfections.
Prevention is crucial for yellow fever control. Measures include mosquito netting, repellents, and vaccines which are essential for travelers going to endemic areas. Treatment is mainly supportive as there are no effective antiviral drugs for yellow fever. The World Health Organization has made significant strides in vaccination, especially in West Africa, where mass vaccination campaigns have greatly reduced outbreaks.