Colombia proclaims an emergency after the death of dozen

Colombia has announced a nationwide emergency after at least 34 people died of yellow fever, according to official data.

The yellow fever is caused by the virus transmitted by the mosquitoes infected. This can be prevented by a vaccine that in most cases provides life protection.

The government urged people to vaccinate the vaccination before the Easter weekends, the time when many Colombians go to warm areas where mosquitoes that spread the disease are more common.

Health Minister Guillermo Alfonso Yaramil said that those who are at a high risk area will have to demonstrate evidence of vaccination.

The Minister of Health said there were 74 confirmed cases of yellow fever in Colombia and urged people to get a vaccine that is free of charge.

The number of cases registered is much higher than in recent years.

In 2023 there were only two cases, and from 2019 to 2022, according to the Ministry of Health.

Mr. Yarlaw told the Colombian RCN radio station that the current outbreak was particularly deadly “with deaths nearly 50% among the infected.”

Many cases of yellow fever were grouped in the eastern part of the Talima province.

The area is known for its coffee plantations and beautiful landscapes and is popular with both national and international tourists.

Colombian President Gustav Petro warned on social media that “people who were not vaccinated should not go to high -risk areas during Easter: until the coffee area.”

Yellow fever can be difficult to diagnose, and its symptoms can be confused with other diseases or fever.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most people recover after the first infection phase, which usually includes fever, muscles and back pain, headache, chills, loss of appetite and nausea.

But WHO warns that about 15% of people face another, more serious phase, which includes high fever, jaundice, bleeding and impaired renal function.

Half of those who enter this “more toxic” phase usually die within 10 – 14 days who suggest.