A small animal peripheral challenge model of yellow fever using interferon-receptor deficient mice and the 17D-204 vaccine strain

► Human yellow fever virus infection has no good mouse model. ► We developed an adult mouse model using AG129 mice and 17D-204 vaccine. ► AG129 mice are susceptible to 17D-204 in a dose-dependent manner. ► Virus infects both brain and liver. ► Biomarkers of inflammation suggest a biphasic liver infection similar to humans.