Colombia has declared a national health and economic emergency due to a deadly yellow fever outbreak, urging vaccinations and precautions, especially during Easter travel

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he government of Colombia has declared a national health and economic emergency in response to a deadly outbreak of yellow fever.

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The mosquito-borne virus, which typically causes fever, muscle pains, nausea, and headaches, is endemic to several South American countries, including Colombia, but the current outbreak is exhibiting a high mortality rate and spreading beyond traditionally at-risk rural areas.

Minister of Health Guillermo Jaramillo informed state-run Radio Nacional de Colombia on Wednesday that at least 34 deaths have been recorded among 74 confirmed cases since the beginning of the year.

He emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “It’s a disease with a mortality rate of nearly 50% among those infected,” while explaining the rationale behind the emergency decree.

Minister Jaramillo further noted the concerning spread of the virus beyond its usual rural confines, stating that this development “making it a threat to more communities.”

The coffee-growing Tolima area is currently experiencing the most severe impact, with reported yellow fever cases surging from four in September 2024 to 22 by mid-April.

In response to the escalating crisis, Minister Jaramillo announced a new travel requirement: “We are going to require the carrying of the vaccination card for people entering or leaving Colombia.”

“It’s a disease with a mortality rate of nearly 50% among those infected,” said Minister of Health Guillermo Jaramillo.

Adding to the government’s response, President Gustavo Petro announced an economic emergency alongside the health decree and strongly urged citizens to get vaccinated.

“People who have not been vaccinated should not go to high-risk areas during Easter: for now, the coffee area,” he wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.

President Petro attributed the further spread of the virus to climate change, which he believes has enabled the disease-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to thrive at higher altitudes.

On Tuesday, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) heightened its yellow fever alert for South America to level two of four, citing “an increased number of cases of yellow fever have been reported in parts of South America.”

The CDC advised travelers to consider vaccination or booster shots before visiting certain areas in Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru.

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The Colombian government is urging its citizens and travelers to take immediate precautions, including getting vaccinated against yellow fever, especially with increased travel expected over the Easter weekend, to mitigate the spread of this deadly outbreak.