ABSTRACT
PIP: In the past 10 years, Bolivia has reported more than 400 cases of yellow fever, representing 30% of all cases reported in the region in the same period. In January 1999, Bolivia notified a sylvatic yellow fever outbreak. A provisional total of 29 cases have been reported nationally since the beginning of the year, all occurring in rural settings of the Department of Santa Cruz. The area reporting the most cases is localized 120-200 km south of the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra between the provinces of Cordillera and Vallegrande. 23 cases were male and 6 female. 82% of cases were over age 15 years, 11% were aged 10-15 years, and 7% were under age 10 years. 27 cases were not vaccinated against yellow fever and 2 had an unverified history of vaccination. There were 10 deaths as of mid-February. A mass immunization campaign of all age groups living in outbreak areas was implemented immediately after the first cases were confirmed. In the Department of Santa Cruz, 30,000 vaccinations have thus far been given in municipalities surrounding the outbreak, increasing the vaccination coverage to higher than 90% in those counties. Recent cases present a similar epidemiologic profile to those in previous yellow fever outbreaks. PAHO recommendations to prevent and control yellow fever are presented.^ieng