Brazil confirms 353 yellow fever cases, including 98 deaths

Brazil's Health Ministry has confirmed more than 350cases of yellow fever as the infection ratepicks up steam in the nationat the centre of the last outbreak.

The current outbreak is developing more slowly than the previous one. The ministry said Wednesday that 353 people have been infected so far, of which 98 have died. During the same period in the 2016-2017 outbreak, 509 cases were recorded, including 159 deaths.

Over the past week, the number of cases confirmed in Minas Gerais state more than doubled from 77 to 157. Sao Paulo state has recorded the most cases, with 161.

Large swaths of Brazil have long been at risk for yellow fever, but it saw an unusually large outbreak last year, including in places not previously considered at risk.

There's currently a shortage of yellow fever vaccine in Canada.The Public Health Agency of Canada's travel health noticerecommends that travellers consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before departing.

Thevaccination is recommended for anyone older than nine monthstravelling toareas in Brazilwith known risk.

The federal health agency advises that people whocannot get vaccinated against yellow feverconsider not travellingto at-risk areas.