Infectious disease specialist considers the possibility of an outbreak of yellow fever in the DR low

Santo Domingo – Infectious disease specialist Jesús Feris Iglesias believes that the Dominican Republic does not have the conditions for an outbreak of yellow fever at some point. It has neither jungle nor monkeys, the animals from which the virus that genetically causes the disease comes.

He said that for yellow fever to affect humans, the virus must circulate, and the monkey must be in the country, as the monkey transmits the virus to humans through the mosquito vector. He indicated that this has happened in Brazil, Ecuador, and some countries in the endemic area of the Amazon.

That makes it unlikely that the country will have an outbreak of the disease.

In addition, according to the specialist, the Dominican Republic maintains a vaccination program for passengers. The yellow fever vaccine is applied to people who travel to countries where the virus circulates. That immunization is also required 15 days before traveling to those who enter Dominican territory from those nations.

Dr. Feris Iglesias stated in response to an opinion article published in Listín Diario by virologist Robert Paulino, entitled “A new outbreak of yellow fever in 2025? Factors that worry experts”.

In that article, the expert points out that in 2025, concern persists about a possible resurgence of yellow fever in Latin America. It adds that several factors could favor an increase in cases in the region, including accelerated urbanization and deforestation, which generate environments conducive to the proliferation of mosquito vectors.

However, Paulino stresses that despite the significant challenges, there are reasons for optimism. “The availability of a highly effective yellow fever vaccine is critical in preventing the disease. However, vaccination rates in some areas remain insufficient, leaving certain population groups vulnerable to further outbreaks. Therefore, it is crucial to implement mass vaccination campaigns and ensure equitable access to immunization throughout the region.”

Contagion cycle

On the subject, Feris Iglesias said that although the mosquito transmits the virus to humans, this vector must first be infected by a monkey, and it has not yet happened that the virus passes from one human to another genetically.

He said that there is a cycle in which the monkey transmits the virus to the human, and then the virus, genetically from the monkey, is transmitted from human to human through the bite of a species of mosquito.

He recalled that in May of last year, the Ministry of Public Health issued a notice to ports and airports not to allow the entry of unvaccinated travelers from countries where the virus lives.

Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted through the bite of certain species of Aedes aegypti and Haemogogus mosquitoes.