Colombia's Yellow Fever Outbreak Case-fatality Rate Exceeds 70%

The Republic of Colombia has issued an updated health alert for yellow fever following 13 confirmed cases and 10 deaths in early 2026.

Among the fatalities are three Bogotá residents who contracted the yellow fever virus (YFV) while traveling to endemic areas, such as the department of Tolima.

This data is concerning, given that Bogota has a population of around 8 million.

According to a Ministry of Health bulletin from January 26, 2026, the outbreak's case-fatality rate of approximately 77% underscores its severity.

The Ministry also reported that from 2024 to late January 2026, there have been 161 confirmed cases nationwide, resulting in 73 deaths.

Previously, the U.S. CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases, Volume 31, Number 12—December 2025, confirmed the reemergence of YFV in the Magdalena Valley, Colombia, between 2024 and 2025.

The CDC wrote, Immediate, comprehensive measures, including mass vaccination, genomic surveillance, and integrated One Health frameworks, are urgently needed. Colombia's experience underscores the need to reevaluate risk stratification and preparedness strategies across the Americas to prevent future yellow fever outbreaks in previously unaffected regions.

Health officials stress that yellow fever is preventable with a single-dose vaccine available free of charge in Colombia and commercially offered in the United States.