ASUNCION , Paraguay ( CNN ) -- The World Health Organization plans to send 2 million vaccines to Paraguay by Sunday after yellow fever emerged there for the first time in 34 years . Anxiety has gripped the South American nation of 7 million since authorities confirmed the first cases of yellow fever there last month . The disease has killed seven people and prompted the government to declare a three-month state of emergency . The government 's health ministry is scrambling to find doses for a massive vaccination campaign . Nearby Brazil already has sent 1 million vaccines . The World Health Organization 's shipment of 2 million doses is scheduled to arrive on Saturday or Sunday , according to a report Friday in the Paraguay 's national news agency , Jakueke . Protesters have closed roads and started fires amid news reports that health workers were vaccinating certain politicians in their homes . `` I categorically reject these kinds of irresponsible allegations , '' said Health Minister Oscar Martinez Doldan . Meanwhile , some people have endured long waits for vaccines in sweltering heat . `` Citizens pay taxes for our health and education , but there are no vaccines here , '' Cynthia Shaerer , told CNN . `` We do n't need speeches here . We need vaccines . '' `` I want the president to tell me , '' another said . `` If we are going to die , who is responsible ? '' People contract yellow fever from the bite of an infected mosquito . The disease causes fever , muscle pain , headaches , shivering , nausea and vomiting , the World Health Organization says . Most people improve after three or four days , but some enter a second `` toxic '' phase that causes fever , jaundice and blood in the vomit , the health organization says . About half of the people who enter the second phase of yellow fever die within 10 days . There is no treatment , so medical authorities recommend vaccinations . Yellow fever typically is found in tropical regions of Africa and Latin America . Most of the seven deaths in Paraguay happened in the town of San Lorenzo , about 12 miles ( 20 km ) from the capital city of Asuncion . The public-health crisis comes two months before scheduled elections in Paraguay . Some analysts say it presents a delicate situation for the ruling Colorado Party , which has held power for 60 years . E-mail to a friend .
W.H.O. , nearby nations , rush vaccines to Paraguay after yellow fever outbreak . Illness , which causes fever , muscle pain , headaches , has killed 7 so far . Protests amid claims that politicians have been given vaccines in their homes . Outbreak , first in 34 years , comes two months before scheduled elections .