Colombia's health authorities are urging vaccinations as a dire yellow fever outbreak claims at least 34 lives, marking a significant increase in cases and prompting action before holiday travel.
Colombia Faces Health Crisis as Yellow Fever Claims Lives
Colombia Faces Health Crisis as Yellow Fever Claims Lives
A nationwide health emergency has been declared in Colombia following a surge in yellow fever fatalities.
Colombia is grappling with a serious yellow fever outbreak, leading officials to declare a nationwide health emergency after reporting at least 34 deaths attributed to the virus. The disease, which is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, has historically been prevented through vaccination, providing long-term immunity in most cases.
Health Minister Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo has emphasized the urgency for citizens to receive their vaccinations, especially with the Easter weekend approaching—a time when domestic travel often increases to warmer regions where the risk of infection is heightened. Travelers to high-risk zones are now required to present proof of vaccination, as stated by Jaramillo.
Currently, there have been 74 confirmed yellow fever cases during this outbreak, a sharp contrast to just two cases recorded in the entirety of 2023 and none reported from 2019 to 2022. The health minister expressed alarm over this outbreak's severity, noting it has resulted in a nearly 50% mortality rate among those infected.
The eastern region of Tolima province has been particularly affected, an area renowned for its coffee agriculture and natural beauty, making it a prime destination for tourists. President Gustavo Petro warned via social media that unvaccinated individuals should refrain from visiting these high-risk areas during the upcoming holiday.
Diagnosing yellow fever can often be challenging due to overlapping symptoms with other illnesses. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), initial infection symptoms include fever, muscle and back pain, headache, chills, appetite loss, and nausea. However, about 15% of infected individuals progress into a more critical phase characterized by severe symptoms such as high fever, jaundice, bleeding, and kidney failure. Tragically, of those who enter this severe phase, approximately 50% succumb within 10 to 14 days.
The WHO underscores the importance of vaccination as a key preventative measure, particularly in light of the current crisis in Colombia.
