Epidemic hazard

Colombia is facing a severe yellow fever emergency since 2024 with more than 150 confirmed cases so far. During the first weeks of 2026, already 13 additional cases have been identified (including 10 deaths) suggesting that transmission has risen significantly, especially in Tolima department that has been the centre of a relevant outbreak in 2024. An RFI has been sent to EpiCore members in the area to provide more details about the situation in Tolima and support the assessment of the current risk for the local population. The EpiCore network has provided a relevant update and background information about the current yellow situation in Colombia, including the latest response activities planned in relation to the recent increases. Based on the feedback collected, the department of Tolima, currently considered the outbreak epicentre, has been not assessed as an area of high risk in the recent past, and therefore the level of vaccination coverage rate in the general population has been significantly low for several years. In relation to the recent increase, initially, cases affected people entering a forest called Galilea located in the east of the department. However, more recently, the disease has been documented in villages and municipalities far from this area, suggesting an important transmission spread. The network has informed that, according to the latest official data, 12 of 47 municipalities have been affected so far, with two active hotspots located in the east and south of the department. These areas are mostly agricultural and livestock-based, with some gold mining that attracts people from across the country. Based on the feedback provided, Tolima department has recently increased its vaccination coverage despite some level of local hesitancy and the authorities report that many of the confirmed cases involved visitors from other regions of Colombia who came for work or for year-end festivities without a history of vaccination. The network informed that the Colombian Ministry of Health now advises a yellow fever booster for people living in or traveling to new at-risk areas including Tolima, especially if it has been over ten years since their last vaccination. The vaccine is available for free at more than 3,000 locations, regardless of affiliation or status. Additional boosters are recommended for certain groups, including pregnant women vaccinated during pregnancy, select HIV patients, exposed lab workers, and those who received fractionated doses elsewhere, if they reside or visit these areas. Local and national health authorities are also stepping up immunization efforts, risk communication, and genomic research to better understand the virus’s spread among humans and primates in affected regions. The RFI has been supported with information contributing to the assessment of the current yellow fever risk in the affected areas. This summary may be updated in case of further relevant epidemiologial details provided in the coming weeks. OFFICIAL DATA - https://tolima.gov.co/noticias/noticias-secretaria-de-salud/9192-bogota-el-tolima-y-cundinamarca-fortalecen-alianza-interterritorial-para-enfrentar-la-emergencia-por-fiebre-amarilla (Local authorities - Jan 3o, 2026) - https://www.minsalud.gov.co/Normatividad_Nuevo/Circular%20Externa%20No%20001%20de%202026.pdf (MoH - Jan 26, 2025) MEDIA QUOTING LOCAL/NATIONAL AUTHORITIES (examples) - https://www.elcolombiano.com/colombia/salud/refuerzo-vacuna-fiebre-amarilla-quien-debe-aplicarsela-FM32946704 - https://caracol.com.co/2026/01/28/minsalud-pide-reforzar-la-vacunacion-contra-la-fiebre-amarilla-antes-de-viajar-a-zonas-endemicas/