photo by: Kevin Anderson/Journal-World File Photo

The Lawrence-Douglas County health department's home at the Community Health Facility, 200 Maine St., is pictured in this file photo from July 2010.

Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health is now offering vaccinations against yellow fever.

The health department announced the addition to its lineup of available vaccinations on Thursday. The health department is recommending the vaccine for those traveling abroad to places where the mosquito-spread viral illness is common; today, the species of mosquito that spreads the disease is most commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of South America and Africa.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of the virus include fever, chills and various body aches. About 15% of people who contract yellow fever develop more serious illness that can lead to bleeding, shock, organ failure and sometimes death.

The health department’s clinic at 200 Maine St. provides a wide variety of vaccinations, including for COVID-19, meningitis, flu, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, HPV and pneumonia.

Those who plan to travel to areas where yellow fever is found can schedule a vaccination appointment by calling the health department at 785-843-0721.