Yellow fever in Peru

As of April 20, 33 cases of yellow fever have been confirmed in Peru, including 12 deaths. Ninety percent of those affected acquired the disease in wild or forested areas, primarily through hunting or agricultural activities. None of the deceased had a history of yellow fever vaccination.

This was announced by the director of the National Center for Epidemiology, Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) of the Ministry of Health (MINSA ), Dr. César Munayco, who urged workers, day laborers, and the population living in hunting or agricultural areas to get vaccinated against yellow fever.

Image/Sanjay Rao

Vaccination is safe, free, and protects against severe forms of yellow fever that, if not treated promptly, can lead to death. It is administered in health centers in the affected areas.

Current cases are distributed mainly in wild and agricultural areas of the departments of Amazonas (20), San Martín (7), Junín (3), Loreto (2), and Huánuco (1). While the deaths occurred in Amazonas (7), San Martín (3), Loreto (1) and Huánuco (1). None of the deceased had a history of vaccination against yellow fever.

Given this epidemiological scenario, the CDC issued Epidemiological Alert AE-CDC-No. 001-2025 "Transmission of jungle yellow fever in some enzootic areas of the country" and prevention measures have been intensified, particularly in areas with the highest incidence.

As part of the frontal fight against yellow fever, the San Martín Regional Health Directorate (Diresa) managed to protect 34,410 people during the intense vaccination days that have been taking place in the region, within the context of the implementation of the Regional Plan for the Prevention and Control of Yellow Fever 2025.

Meanwhile, in Loreto, a search was conducted for more cases in the person's environment, community and places they have visited in recent weeks. No more cases were identified.

The population was vaccinated in both areas where the cases originated. To this end, we are working continuously with communal authorities through the Indigenous Peoples' Health Department.