57 Yellow Fever Deaths During Colombia's Outbreak

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced an update to its Level 2 Travel Health Advisory for the Republic of Colombia, due to a yellow fever outbreak.

On September 3, 2025, the CDC reported an increase in cases in new areas in the South American country.

In a Facebook post, the Health Ministry reported that between 2024 and 2025, 132 yellow fever (YF) cases were registered, resulting in 57 deaths, in the following Colombian departments: Tolima, Huila, Cauca, Nariño, Putumayo, Caldas, Meta, Vaupés, Guaviare, and Caquetá.

The CDC recommends that travelers to these newly affected areas get vaccinated at least 10 days before traveling abroad, as yellow fever is a severe viral disease.

Last year, the Colombian government declared a nationwide health emergency to alert residents and visitors to the situation.

Colombia welcomed over 6.5 million international visitors.

Recently, the U.S. Embassy in Bogota issued an alert stating visitors should reconsider travel to the Valle del Cauca Department due to civil unrest.

As of September 2025, YF is a vaccine-preventable disease, and proof of vaccination is required to enter various countries, including Colombia. 

A booster dose may be given to eligible travelers or those who received their last dose of the YF vaccine at least 10 years prior and will be in a higher-risk setting, according to the CDC.

"With yellow fever cases rising in Colombia, the CDC has expanded the list of areas where vaccination is now recommended. We're seeing a similar trend in parts of Peru and Bolivia, too," commented Jeri Beales, MSN, RN, BS.

This isn't a mosquito-borne virus to take lightly—yellow fever can be deadly, with fatality rates as high as 60% in severe cases."

"If you're planning a trip to Colombia, consult with a travel health provider about getting vaccinated. It's highly effective and usually offers lifelong protection. Still, it's only available at certified clinics, so schedule ahead—ideally a few weeks before you leave to give the vaccine time to create a robust immune response so you're fully protected before arriving," added Beales, vaccination leader at Destination Health, located in the greater Boston, MA, area.

In the United States, the YF-VAX vaccine is commercailly offered at travel vaccination retailers.

Note - vaccine expert insight added on September 6, 2025.