A yellow fever outbreak in Colombia has prompted a nationwide health emergency, with 74 confirmed cases and 34 deaths since last year. The central-western Tolima region is facing the highest number of cases.
The Colombian government declared a nationwide health emergency late on Wednesday, April 16, due to an alarming rise in yellow fever cases. As of the latest report, 74 people have been confirmed to have contracted the virus, resulting in 34 deaths since the start of 2024.
Yellow fever, a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, has seen its most critical outbreak in Tolima, a region in central-west Colombia, where 22 cases have been detected. To curb the spread of the virus, the government has set up medical tents at the transport terminal in Bogotá.
Health Minister Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo urged citizens to vaccinate themselves, stressing the importance of taking preventative measures, especially for those planning to travel. "Yes, it is worrying, and we must be aware of vaccinating ourselves to prevent it. Those of us who are going to travel must avoid bringing the virus," said Viviana Quintero, a Colombian citizen.
The Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes, which transmit the disease, have been the main vector for the outbreak.
Colombia has formally applied to join the China-based New Development Bank, deepening Latin America’s growing alignment with Beijing as regional leaders react to U.S. policy shifts under President Donald Trump.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on May 16 that his country has started the process of joining the New Development Bank of BRICS.
China and Colombia have signed a joint cooperation plan under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), further strengthening bilateral economic ties, Chinese state media reported Wednesday following a high-level meeting in Beijing.
Colombia's president has suspended a ceasefire with a FARC offshoot after efforts to extend the truce failed, though peace talks remain on track.
Colombian Peace Commissioner Otty Patino reaffirmed the government’s openness to dialogue with the ELN rebels despite recent attacks that halted peace talks. The government continues to focus on regional peace strategies, engaging with smaller factions while pushing for irreversible peace processes.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently allowed President Donald Trump's administration to move forward with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for around 350,000 Venezuelans living in the U.S. Trump has also aimed to end TPS protections for Haitians, Afghans, and others.
The U.S. Supreme Court has granted a request from the Trump administration to lift protections under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for approximately 350,000 Venezuelans, potentially opening the door to future deportations while litigation continues.
Lithuania has taken legal action against Belarus at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Minsk of organizing irregular migrant crossings and violating international obligations.
Indonesia has raised the alert level to the highest for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki after it erupted eight times over the weekend, the country’s volcanology agency said.
As South Western Railway becomes the latest operator to be renationalised under Great British Railways (GBR), questions remain about whether these changes will lead to better services or lower fares.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace at 10:00 local time today to explore security guarantees, territorial integrity and a possible ceasefire.
EU approves 17th Russia sanctions, blacklisting almost 200 shadow‑fleet ships, 30 evasion firms and 75 defence figures, banning missile chemicals and arming Brussels to strike Kremlin hybrid and operations.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently allowed President Donald Trump's administration to move forward with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for around 350,000 Venezuelans living in the U.S. Trump has also aimed to end TPS protections for Haitians, Afghans, and others.
The U.S. Supreme Court has granted a request from the Trump administration to lift protections under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for approximately 350,000 Venezuelans, potentially opening the door to future deportations while litigation continues.
Lithuania has taken legal action against Belarus at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Minsk of organizing irregular migrant crossings and violating international obligations.
Indonesia has raised the alert level to the highest for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki after it erupted eight times over the weekend, the country’s volcanology agency said.
As South Western Railway becomes the latest operator to be renationalised under Great British Railways (GBR), questions remain about whether these changes will lead to better services or lower fares.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently allowed President Donald Trump's administration to move forward with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for around 350,000 Venezuelans living in the U.S. Trump has also aimed to end TPS protections for Haitians, Afghans, and others.
The U.S. Supreme Court has granted a request from the Trump administration to lift protections under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for approximately 350,000 Venezuelans, potentially opening the door to future deportations while litigation continues.
Lithuania has taken legal action against Belarus at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Minsk of organizing irregular migrant crossings and violating international obligations.
Indonesia has raised the alert level to the highest for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki after it erupted eight times over the weekend, the country’s volcanology agency said.
As South Western Railway becomes the latest operator to be renationalised under Great British Railways (GBR), questions remain about whether these changes will lead to better services or lower fares.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment