In a significant public health development, Colombia has declared a national emergency in response to a rapidly escalating yellow fever outbreak. As of April 18, 2025, the Ministry of Health reports 74 confirmed cases and 34 fatalities, indicating a case-fatality rate exceeding 45%.
Historically confined to Colombia’s tropical regions, the current outbreak has extended into temperate areas, including the Andean department of Tolima, which accounts for the majority of recent cases . This expansion is attributed to climate change, as rising temperatures enable the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary vector for yellow fever, to inhabit higher altitudes and urban centers.
In response, President Gustavo Petro has mandated a comprehensive vaccination campaign aiming to immunize the entire population within two months. The initiative mobilizes over 80,000 healthcare workers and prioritizes individuals over nine months old, with special attention to high-risk areas . To date, approximately 54,269 individuals have been vaccinated, including nearly 8,000 seniors over the age of 70.
The Colombian government now requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for all travelers entering or leaving the country . Concurrently, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 travel notice, advising enhanced precautions for travelers to affected regions in South America, including Colombia.
