Causes of Yellow fever

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Yellow fever is caused by a virus called the flavivirus. It is passed on by the bite of a type of mosquito known as Aedes aegypti.

First, the mosquito becomes infected by biting an animal or human with the virus. It can then pass it on to any other animals or humans that it bites. Once it is infected a mosquito remains a source of danger throughout its life.

It is thought that the virus is widespread amongst the monkeys that live in the tops of trees in the jungle (the jungle 'canopy') in some parts of Africa and America.

Occasionally, an infected mosquito passes the disease on to a someone in the jungle (eg a forestry worker) who can then act as a source of infection when they return to their own community.