Yellow fever (also called yellow jack, black vomit or vomito negro, or sometimes American Plague) is an acute viral disease.[1]

BPP (Brazilian Portuguese Pod) has a new podcast about Yellow Fever. André Barbosa was kind enough to provide some useful background information for the readers of the Portuguese Blog.

The disease is an important cause of hemorrhagic illness in many African and South American countries despite existence of an effective vaccine. The yellow refers to the jaundice symptoms that affect some patients.

Lately in Brazil authorities are concerned about this disease because the number of infected people is increasing unexpectedly. Although some cases are not confirmed yet some people are in a rush to take vaccines, the only way to be securely protected.

If you are in Brazil or if you are coming to Brazil it’s important that you first look for a vaccine for yellow fever. Although it’s not considered epidemic yet, the risk of being infected is real and should not be ignored.

Here’s a video in Portuguese about the current crisis. (ed. I find these types of newscasts to be a great way to practice listening comprehension)

You can find more information about yellow fever in the websites below:

• http://www.sespa.pa.gov.br/Educa%C3%A7%C3%A3o/famarela01.htm (Portuguese)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_fever (English)
• http://noticias.terra.com.br/brasil/interna/0,,OI2216695-EI715,00.html (Portuguese)
• http://www.agenciabrasil.gov.br/noticias/2008/01/10/materia.2008-01-10.4636357602/view (Portuguese)