Yellow Fever Kills 34: WHO Confirms 50% Fatality Rate 

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Yellow Fever Kills 34: WHO Confirms 50% Fatality Rate 
Yellow Fever Kills 34: WHO Confirms 50% Fatality Rate 

United States: Official statistics from Colombia prove that at least 34 individuals died from yellow fever, which has prompted the country to declare a national health emergency. 

Deadly Yellow Fever Outbreak 

Yellow fever exists because infected mosquitoes transmit the virus between human beings. 

People can protect themselves from yellow fever through vaccination, and the vaccine usually grants permanent safety against the disease. 

The Colombian government recommends vaccination before Easter weekend because this travel period intensifies the mosquito population in warmer regions. 

Vaccination Urged Ahead of Easter 

Those who travel to yellow fever risk areas must show proof of vaccination based on the order from Health Minister Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo. 

According to the health minister, there were 74 yellow fever confirmations recorded in Colombia since the outbreak began, and he promoted the free vaccination available to everyone in Colombia. 

The recent outbreak has caused more reported cases than previous epidemic cycles have shown. The Ministry of Health statistics show that no yellow fever cases existed from 2019 through 2022, while only two cases emerged in 2023. 

According to Mr Jaramillo, who told Colombian radio station RCN that the present outbreak had been particularly lethal “with a mortality rate of nearly 50% among those infected,” BBC reported. 

High-Risk Zones Identified 

Most yellow fever infections in Tolima province are concentrated within its eastern region. Both visitors from Colombia and tourists around the world enjoy visiting this region for its attractive settings among coffee farms. 

According to Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who warned on social media that “people who have not been vaccinated should not go to high-risk areas during Easter: for now the coffee area.” 

It is challenging to detect yellow fever since its medical indicators overlap with other ailments besides regular fevers. 

WHO declares that most individuals develop a full recovery during infection stage one, which brings fever alongside muscle/back pain with headache and shivers, loss of appetite, and nausea or vomiting. 

WHO declares that among yellow fever patients, about 15% will experience severe symptoms, including high fever along with jaundice and bleeding, while their kidney function declines. 

Statistics from WHO show that about half of patients who develop severe complications during the deeper infection stage will die between ten to fourteen days.