Virus
Yellow fever virus
Aedes flavivirus, jaundice, Councilman bodies
YEL-oh FEE-ver VY-rus
High-yield clue
Aedes flavivirus classically remembered for jaundice and Councilman bodies (apoptotic hepatocytes) in the liver.
Overview
A positive-sense single-stranded RNA flavivirus spread by Aedes mosquitoes in the urban cycle (Haemagogus and Sabethes carry the South American sylvatic cycle), studied as the prototype hemorrhagic arbovirus with a classic live-attenuated (17D) vaccine.
Classification
- Flaviviridae
- Genus Orthoflavivirus
- Positive-sense ssRNA
- Enveloped
- Arbovirus
Lab & identification clues
- Councilman body (hepatocyte apoptosis) vocabulary
- Hepatic and hemorrhagic injury framing
- Live-attenuated 17D vaccine association
Associations
- Aedes aegypti vector
- Sylvatic (jungle) cycle with primate reservoir
- Jaundice, hemorrhage, and 'black vomit' vocabulary
- Tropical Africa and South America epidemiology
Commonly confused with
- Dengue virus
- Hepatitis viruses
Frequently asked questions
What is Yellow fever virus?
A positive-sense single-stranded RNA flavivirus spread by Aedes mosquitoes in the urban cycle (Haemagogus and Sabethes carry the South American sylvatic cycle), studied as the prototype hemorrhagic arbovirus with a classic live-attenuated (17D) vaccine.
What are the lab clues for Yellow fever virus?
Lab clues for Yellow fever virus include Councilman body (hepatocyte apoptosis) vocabulary, Hepatic and hemorrhagic injury framing, and Live-attenuated 17D vaccine association.
What is Yellow fever virus commonly confused with?
Yellow fever virus is commonly confused with Dengue virus and Hepatitis viruses.
Original student-study summary. Sources checked: OpenStax Microbiology 2e, NCBI Bookshelf Medical Microbiology, and CDC topic pages where applicable; reviewed 2026-06. Educational only; no diagnosis, treatment, dosing, or specimen-handling guidance.