Colombia is experiencing a growing outbreak of yellow fever, prompting the government to declare a nationwide public health emergency on Wednesday (16 April), according to British news agency Reuters.
Health Minister Guillermo Jaramillo stated that the outbreak has been increasing since last year. At least 74 confirmed cases and 34 deaths have been reported so far.
Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted through the bites of Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes. The virus can spread rapidly in certain areas and may become life-threatening in some cases. In the past, yellow fever outbreaks have severely affected various South American countries.
The Health Minister noted that the situation is most alarming in the central-western region of Tolima, where 22 cases have been identified so far.