Colombia’s yellow fever outbreak totals 54 cases and 22 deaths, with a 40.7% fatality rate. The Ministry of Health declares an alert in 388 municipalities and prioritizes vaccination as the virus spreads to non-endemic zones.

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Colombia is facing its worst yellow fever outbreak in decades, with 54 confirmed cases and 22 deaths since October 2024, according to the National Health Institute (INS). The virus, transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, has migrated to non-endemic regions like Tolima and Caldas, where no cases had been reported in 25 years. The Ministry of Health declared a national epidemiological alert and identified 388 at-risk municipalities, including key tourist destinations.

The outbreak, originating in rural areas of the Galilea Forest National Park (Tolima), has spread to Caldas, Caquetá, Putumayo, and Meta12. In Tolima, 75% of cases (41/54) occurred in agricultural communities, with a 40.7% fatality rate. In Caldas, a case in Neira marks the virus’s first appearance in the region since 1998.

32% of cases involve individuals over 59 years old, a group with historically low vaccination coverage. Among the 54 confirmed cases, 15 victims were over 60, according to the Ministry of Health. “Those who remain unvaccinated face high risks,” warned Minister Guillermo Jaramillo.

Increased travel to warmer regions during Holy Week raised the risk of the virus reaching cities like Bogotá, Medellín, and Manizales. Authorities prioritized vaccination at bus terminals and airports, focusing on 18,000 rural schools. “If traveling to risk zones, get vaccinated at least 10 days beforehand,” insisted Bogotá’s Health Secretary.

¿Qué es la #FiebreAmarilla y cuáles son los síntomas que llegan a presentar las personas que contraen el virus?

La Directora del Instituto Nacional de Salud, Diana Marcela Pava, te cuenta aquí todos los detalles. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/bmfFpLEx4F

— Presidencia Colombia 🇨🇴 (@infopresidencia) April 17, 2025

The text reads:”What is #YellowFever and what symptoms do people who contract the virus present?

The Director of the National Institute of Health, Diana Marcela Pava, tells you all the details here.“

Vaccination Efforts

With the free and 95% effective vaccine, 200,000 people have already been immunized in Tolima. In villages like Planadas, mobile medical teams prioritize single mothers over tourists. This aligns with Petro’s preventive health strategy: free care prioritizing historically marginalized communities. Petro announced the urgent purchase of 500,000 additional doses.

Global warming enabled Aedes aegypti to colonize temperate mountainous zones. Illegal logging in areas like Caquetá and Putumayo has exposed rural communities to the forest-dwelling Haemagogus mosquito, the primary vector in wooded regions.

While the outbreak underscores vulnerabilities in Colombia’s healthcare system and the accelerating impact of climate change, coordinated vaccination campaigns and community-focused strategies offer a path forward. Health authorities emphasize that timely immunization and preventive measures remain the most effective tools to mitigate risks, particularly for vulnerable populations in rural areas.

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