Colombia declares health emergency over yellow fever

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.

Copied