Colombia: Government declares health emergency due to increase in number of yellow fever cases

Published Apr 20, 2025

Tridge summary

The Colombian government has declared a health emergency due to a surge in yellow fever cases, with 54 cases and 22 deaths this year, up from 77 cases and 35 deaths in 2024. The emergency has led to a widespread vaccination campaign aimed at children from nine months to 59 years of age, with the vaccine being free and providing immunity within 10 days in 95% of recipients. The emergency was declared in response to the spread of the disease in several departments, with Tolima being the most affected. Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes and causes symptoms such as fever, headache, and muscle pain, and in severe cases, it can lead to liver and kidney failure.

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Original content

By Ludmylla Rocha São Paulo, 04/20/2025 - This week, the Colombian government declared a health emergency throughout the country due to the increase in yellow fever cases in the country. According to data from the Ministry of Health, as of Saturday, the 19th, 54 cases of the disease and 22 deaths had been confirmed this year alone. Considering figures from 2024, there have been 77 cases of the disease, of which 35 have died. The cases are distributed among the departments of Tolima, which is the most affected, as well as Huila, Cauca, Nariño, Putumayo, Caldas, Meta, Vaupés, and Caquetá. Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes that has symptoms such as high fever, sudden onset, intense and lasting headache, lack of appetite, nausea, and body aches, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Health. In severe cases, it can lead to liver and kidney failure with worsening jaundice - yellowing of ...

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