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Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj68x4p412eo
Colombia declares health emergency after dozens die of yellow fever
12 hours ago
Vanessa Buschschlüter
BBC News
Colombia has declared a nationwide health emergency after at least 34 people died of yellow fever, according to official figures.
Yellow fever is caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. It can be prevented by a vaccine which in most cases provides lifelong protection.
The government has urged people to get vaccinated ahead of the Easter weekend, a time when many Colombians travel to warmer areas where the mosquitos that spread the disease are more prevalent.
Health Minister Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo said those going to high-risk areas would be required to show proof of vaccination.
The health minister said that there had been 74 confirmed cases of yellow fever in Colombia so far during this outbreak and urged people to get the vaccine, which in Colombia is free of charge.
The number of cases reported is much higher than in recent years.
In 2023, there were only two cases, and there were none from 2019 to 2022, according to figures published by the ministry of health.
Mr Jaramillo told Colombian radio station RCN that the current outbreak had been particularly lethal "with a mortality rate of nearly 50% among those infected".
Many of the yellow fever cases were clustered in the eastern part of Tolima province.
The area is known for its coffee plantations and beautiful landscapes and is popular with both national and international tourists...
Colombia declares health emergency after dozens die of yellow fever
12 hours ago
Vanessa Buschschlüter
BBC News
Colombia has declared a nationwide health emergency after at least 34 people died of yellow fever, according to official figures.
Yellow fever is caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. It can be prevented by a vaccine which in most cases provides lifelong protection.
The government has urged people to get vaccinated ahead of the Easter weekend, a time when many Colombians travel to warmer areas where the mosquitos that spread the disease are more prevalent.
Health Minister Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo said those going to high-risk areas would be required to show proof of vaccination.
The health minister said that there had been 74 confirmed cases of yellow fever in Colombia so far during this outbreak and urged people to get the vaccine, which in Colombia is free of charge.
The number of cases reported is much higher than in recent years.
In 2023, there were only two cases, and there were none from 2019 to 2022, according to figures published by the ministry of health.
Mr Jaramillo told Colombian radio station RCN that the current outbreak had been particularly lethal "with a mortality rate of nearly 50% among those infected".
Many of the yellow fever cases were clustered in the eastern part of Tolima province.
The area is known for its coffee plantations and beautiful landscapes and is popular with both national and international tourists...
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