Yellow Fever Red Alert Issued for Columbia

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says countries in the Region of the Americas need to ensure that yellow fever vaccination coverage is uniformly greater than or equal to 95% to curtail future outbreaks.

Unfortunately, 33 confirmed cases of yellow fever, including 17 deaths, have been reported in the Americas throughout 2024. These cases have been reported in five countries in the Region of the Americas: the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, and Peru. 

The PAHO confirmed on July 29, 2024, that these countries need to ensure that health authorities maintain routine vaccination and, at the same time, respond to possible outbreaks, such as in Columbia's mountain region.

Eight confirmed cases of yellow fever, including five deaths, have been reported in Columbia this year. One case had a history of vaccination against yellow fever.

From a local perspective, the Secretary of Health of Huila, Colombia, issued a Red Alert for rising numbers of confirmed yellow fever cases on August 2, 2024.

The U.S. Embassy says travelers planning to travel to this area of Colombia are encouraged to talk to their medical provider about proper precautions against this mosquito transmission and to prevent infection, such as vaccination.

As of August 2024, approved yellow fever vaccines are offered in various countries. In the United States, the YF-Vax vaccine is available at certified travel clinics and pharmacies.

The U.S. CDC recommends yellow fever vaccination for persons over nine months traveling to or living in areas of South America and Africa at risk of yellow fever. Because serious adverse events occur, clinicians should vaccinate only persons at risk for exposure to the yellow fever virus or require proof of vaccination for country entry.