Let me point out that most of the people affected have been in rural areas of Goias state, not a popular tourist area. There appears to be little risk in Rio or most other popular tourist areas, but I agree, better safe than sorry. Check with a physician who is a travel specialist and who is personally familiar with Brazil.

I agree with tcantarelli that Goias does appear to be the most hit (where I travel a lot when on vacation in Brasil unfortunately!), however, I decided to post the Alert because this time appears there is something more happening as there are yellow fever outbreaks in Argentia and Paraguay and the local populations seem to be concerned, more than normal. It may be just hysteria, or prudence, but I think everyone should at least be aware that something new is happening.

See Reuters: reuters.com/article/…idUSL20758827

"The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Wednesday that Yellow fever vaccines are being sent to Paraguay, where at least four people have died in the country's first outbreak in 30 years."

/www.youtube.com/watch?v=USwB_1uFoIQ

And if you don't have a problem getting your news at Al Jezeera's English language broadcast:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=USwB_1uFoIQ

Just a little up-date in as much as the Brazilian authorities have now extended their travel warning to the northern part of Espiritu Santo and the western part of Santa Catarina (just south of Iguacu).

Up-dated report is available at the CDC website, and up-dated map is here:

…cdc.gov/travel/contentYellowFeverBrazil.aspx

Yellow fever vaccination is now recommended for travellers going to the following parts of Brazil, based on an expanded recommendation from the Brazilian Ministry of Health:

The provinces of Roraima, Amazonas, Acre, Rondonia, Mato Grosso, Para, Amapa, Maranhao, Tocantins, Goias, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Distrito Federal (including Brasilia); and

Portions of the provinces of Piaui, Bahia, Espirito Santo, Sao Paulo, Parana, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul.

That said, as of March 5, 2008, in the preceding 3 months there have been only 35 confirmed cases but 19 deaths.

The number of cases have diminished in great part to the massive vaccination campaign undertaken by the govt. Literally millions of Brazilians, especially in the states of Goiás, Minas Gerais and in the Federal District are now up to date with their yellow fever shots, which have a validity of 10 years, and many are ready to hit the road to natural areas on the long Easter weekend coming up soon (March 20th to 23rd).

Oops, forgot to add - in other words, this does not mean that the mosquitoes (transmittors) and monkeys (viral origin of yellow fever) are less likely to carry yellow fever. So if you are going to the areas indicated, get a shot.

Boa Viagem!