Colombia reports 3 fatal yellow fever cases in Putumayo department
In the department of Putumayo, three fatal cases of yellow fever were confirmed, coming from the rural areas of the municipalities of Villa Garzón, a 66-year-old man, Valle del Guamuez, a 20-year-old man, and Orito, a 26-year-old man.
According to the Pan American Health Organization, all cases had a history of exposure to wild or wooded areas, due to agricultural work activities, with no history of vaccination against yellow fever.
Putumayo has 93% vaccination coverage for yellow fever in one-year-old children during 2023 and national coverage was 88% for the same year. Vaccinating is a priority since there is no cure or specific treatment for this disease . For this reason, the territorial entity and with the support of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection are intensifying immunization actions for the population that has not received the single dose against yellow fever in all the municipalities of the department.
In Colombia, it is recommended to have a single dose of the yellow fever vaccine between 1 and 59 years of age, for all national or international residents or travelers, including the migrant population who live or move in high-risk departments and municipalities, such as the case of the department of Putumayo, according to the indications of the expanded immunization program (PAI).
Finally, a call is made to the population to review their vaccination history and if they do not have it, attend the authorized IPS where they must provide the vaccine as part of the guarantee of the right to health.
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As of 19 March 2024, seven confirmed cases of yellow fever have been reported in the Region of the Americas, including four fatal cases. In addition to the three fatal cases in Colombia, cases were reported Guyana (2) and Peru (2 cases/1 death).
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever that is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
Symptoms of yellow fever (fever, chills, headache, backache, and muscle aches) develop 3-6 days after infection. About 15% of people infected with yellow fever virus will develop severe illness that can lead to liver disease, bleeding, shock, organ failure, yellowing skin (jaundice), and sometimes death.
There are no medications to treat or cure yellow fever. Yellow fever vaccine is the best protection against this disease.