Colombia Battles Yellow Fever Surge: Nationwide Emergency Declared Amid Rising Death Toll

In a significant public health move, Colombia’s Ministry of Health has officially declared a nationwide health emergency following a troubling surge in yellow fever cases across the country. This declaration comes as the virus continues to spread actively in several regions, prompting immediate government intervention. The decision was announced on Thursday amid increasing concern from health authorities and the public alike.

Since September 2024, the Colombian Health Ministry has confirmed a total of 75 yellow fever cases and 34 fatalities. These figures have raised alarms among health officials, particularly because the disease is now appearing in departments previously considered low-risk. Out of the 32 departments in the country, nine have reported at least one case of infection, a trend that indicates the virus is expanding beyond its historical zones.

Most cases have emerged from rural territories, especially in the Tolima and Meta departments, the Amazon basin, and along the Magdalena River. However, what has truly intensified national concern is the virus's presence in areas such as Caldas, a region known more for its coffee production than tropical disease outbreaks. This unexpected spread highlights the urgent need for preventive and containment measures across Colombia.

Before the full-scale emergency declaration, some regions were already under health alerts due to localized outbreaks. The situation worsened ahead of the Easter holiday, a time when domestic travel typically spikes. Authorities feared that increased mobility could accelerate the virus’s transmission. In response, travel to certain high-risk areas has been restricted to minimize further infections.

Yellow fever is transmitted to humans via bites from infected mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), not all individuals show symptoms, but when symptoms occur, they often include fever, headaches, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss. Fortunately, these symptoms usually fade after three to four days for many patients.

However, some individuals experience a more severe second phase of the illness, characterized by jaundice, abdominal pain, and internal bleeding. In this critical stage, half of the patients succumb to the illness within a week to ten days. Since there is no specific antiviral treatment available, the WHO recommends supportive care including rest, hydration, and professional medical attention when needed.

President Gustavo Petro’s administration is taking swift action by urging all Colombians above nine months of age to get vaccinated. The yellow fever vaccine, which only requires a single dose, is available for free. Medical teams are being dispatched to the most affected zones to distribute the vaccine efficiently and rapidly. “In two months, the entire Colombian population must be vaccinated,” President Petro stressed in a post on social media platform X.

To support the health campaign, President Petro announced plans to declare an economic emergency in addition to the ongoing health crisis. More than 20 rapid response teams from the Ministry of Health and the National Health Institute have already been mobilized to investigate transmission patterns and control the outbreak. Health Minister Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo emphasized the need for local hospitals to be fully prepared to treat incoming patients.

Despite these efforts, some members of the opposition have criticized the government’s timing, suggesting that the response came too late. Senator Paloma Valencia from the Democratic Center party condemned the delay, arguing that a crisis of this magnitude should have triggered emergency action months ago. In response to growing public concern, Petro is expected to hold a national cabinet meeting to address the situation and will provide an update on the crisis in a special report scheduled for Monday.