Yellow Fever Fatalities Grip Colombia, Vaccinations Urged

As millions of international travelers visit countries in South America, a mosquito-transmitted killer is devastating the Republic of Colombia in 2025.

As of July 23, 2025, the country has confirmed 103 cases of Yellow fever, resulting in 37 deaths, a staggering 36% fatality rate that underscores the virus's lethal potential.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) previously sounded the alarm with a regional alert, warning that Yellow fever continues to pose a grave threat across the Americas.

While the disease is preventable through vaccination, gaps in immunization have allowed it to surge in Colombia's rural and forested areas.

At the epicenter of the crisis are the municipalities of Cunday and Rioblanco in the Tolima Department, which is unusual, given their high altitude.

Tolima's rural terrain has historically been a breeding ground for the virus, but officials are determined to contain it.

Katherine Rengifo, Tolima's Secretary of Health, highlighted the establishment of a Unified Command Post, personally led by the governor, to oversee containment efforts.

"Every time there is an unvaccinated resident of Tolima or a visitor, there is a risk of transmission," Rengifo warned in a press release.

"All efforts by the Departmental Government, the Ministry of Health, the National Institute of Health, and the Superintendency are focused on containing this outbreak and, above all, preventing its urbanization, which is the greatest risk we face."

"Urbanization, the spread of yellow fever into densely populated cities via the Aedes aegypti mosquito, could ignite a public health catastrophe, potentially overwhelming healthcare systems and leading to widespread panic."

To date, Tolima has rolled out over 728,000 doses of the yellow fever vaccine, achieving 57% coverage in a region that, until recently, lacked a robust immunization program.

This rapid scale-up is a testament to the collaborative push involving national and local health entities.

Unfortunately, the spotlight turned to Villarrica and Cunday, where teams are enforcing an "epidemiological lockdown"—a targeted approach combining surveillance, mosquito control, and mass vaccination drives.

Rengifo emphasized that the goal is to reach 95% vaccination rates to create a protective shield around vulnerable populations.

"The vaccine is free, safe, and saves lives," Rengifo added.

While Colombia's battle against yellow fever is far from over, the PAHO's latest data indicate that five other countries continue to report cases and fatalities in 2025.

Throughout the Americas, 134 fatal cases have been confirmed this year. 

In addition to the PAHO's warning, the U.S. CDC has issued a Travel Health Advisory for the Americas, recommending Yellow fever vaccination for specific areas, such as in Colombia.

In the United States, the YF-VAX vaccine is expected to be commercially available at travel clinics and pharmacies in late July 2025.