Health emergency declared as 17th century disease kills 34 and warning issued (2025)

People who are not vaccinated against the disease will be banned from travelling to certain areas of Colombia after the government declared a national health emergency for yellow fever

A deadly outbreak of a disease which first emerged in the 17th century has led a South American country to declare a national health emergency.

At least 34 people have died of yellow fever in Colombia since the beginning of the outbreak, with confirmed cases climbing in recent weeks. This week, as part of a raft of new emergency measures, the country's health ministry announced that all citizens heading to high-risk areas would be required to show proof of vaccination. It comes amid fears that the upcoming Easter holiday - which traditionally sees families flock to warmer parts of the country - could see the disease spread further. That's because these areas have larger populations of mosquitoes, which are the main spreaders of yellow fever.

People who have not been vaccinated against the disease have been told not to to travel to the 'coffee axis', an area of Colombia renowned for its pleasant temperate tropical climate.

Designating the outbreak as a economic emergency in addition to a public health crisis, Colombian President Gustavo Petro wrote on Facebook: "People who have not been vaccinated should not go to high-risk areas during Easter: for now the coffee area."

Additional measures are also set to be introduced at airports and land borders to prevent the spread.

Speaking on Wednesday, Colombian health minister Guillermo Jaramillo said: "It's a disease with a mortality rate of nearly 50% among those infected.

"We are going to require the carrying of the vaccination card for people entering or leaving."

It comes after the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently upgraded the yellow fever risk for South America to 'level two' out of four.

American travelling to Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru are being advised to practice "enhanced precautions" due to an "increased number of cases."

They have also been told to get vaccinated at least 10 days before their trip and take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

The UK Foreign Office's official travel guidance page for Colombia states that British nationals should use the Travel Health Pro website to access the latest information on recommended vaccinations and potential health risks.

No specific advice has yet been issued regarding Colombia's declaration of a public health emergency. The Mirror has approached the Foreign Office for comment.

First documented in 1648 in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, yellow fever is a viral infection primarily found in tropical regions of Africa and South America.

The symptoms typically include high fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and yellowing of the skin and eyes.

In severe cases, it can cause bleeding, organ failure, and death.

The NHS recommends that you should get a yellow fever vaccine if you're travelling to an area where yellow fever is found, or if you need a yellow fever certificate to prove you've been vaccinated.