Bogotá, January 26, 2022. Within the framework of the commemoration of World Yellow Fever Day (January 27), the Ministry of Health and Social Protection reminds all of the importance of vaccination against acute viral disease.

The vaccine is affordable, safe and, according to the latest scientific analysis, it provides protection of up to 90% after 10 days of administration, and 99% one month later.

"Yellow fever is an acute, hemorrhagic viral disease with a high mortality rate, endemic in tropical areas of Africa and Latin America, which is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes, present in some rural and jungle areas. The risk of transmission to urban areas of the population that has not been immunized against this disease through domestic mosquitoes is high," reported Claudia Cuéllar, deputy director of Communicable Diseases of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.

In 2020, two countries in the Region of the Americas reported confirmed cases of yellow fever: Brazil and Peru; in 2021 there were four countries in the region that reported new cases: Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela, increasing the risk for Colombia, considering the constant migration with these border countries.

Colombia is an endemic country for yellow fever, and the provinces with the highest risk are Amazonas, Caquetá, Casanare, Cesar, Guainía, Guaviare, Guajira, Meta, Putumayo, Vaupés, and Vichada.

According to data from the National Institute of Health:

- The areas with the highest number of reported cases have been the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Norte de Santander, Meta, Caquetá, Guaviare, Magdalena, and Casanare. Most cases have occurred in these provinces between 2000 and 2021. The last case of yellow fever was in 2018, in the rural area of Mitú, Vaupés.