Yellow Fever in Colombia: What Travelers Should Know in 2025

A Serious Resurgence

Colombia is currently facing its most serious yellow fever outbreak in decades. What began as a small resurgence in late 2024 has now expanded well into 2025, with health authorities reporting dozens of deaths and a steady rise in new cases. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), by the end of June 2025 the country had confirmed 114 human cases and 49 deaths, reflecting a very high case fatality rate of nearly 43 percent.

The department of Tolima has emerged as the epicenter of the crisis. Since late 2024, Tolima alone has reported nearly 100 cases and more than 30 deaths. Other departments including Putumayo, Nariño, Caquetá, Meta, Huila, and even Caldas in the coffee region have also recorded cases. This geographic spread is concerning because it shows the virus is no longer confined to the Amazon or jungle areas traditionally linked with yellow fever.

International health agencies have tracked the outbreak closely. The World Health Organization confirmed that between December 2024 and April 2025, Colombia accounted for 60 confirmed cases and 24 deaths out of the regional total. More recent updates from vaccine and travel health groups suggest that, by September 2025, Colombia’s cumulative count had risen to more than 130 cases and over 55 deaths across multiple departments.

Beyond human cases, monkey die-offs linked to yellow fever — called epizootics — have also been detected. At least 56 confirmed epizootic events have been reported in Colombia, the majority in Tolima. These primate deaths often serve as an early warning of virus circulation before human cases appear.

Why the Outbreak Is Different

What makes this outbreak especially worrying is its expansion into areas not previously considered high risk. Caldas, a department better known for coffee tourism than tropical diseases, has now reported confirmed cases. The virus has also moved into the upper Magdalena River valley and Andean foothills, areas where local populations may have little immunity and where vaccination coverage has historically been lower.

This shift raises the possibility of urban spillover. If yellow fever spreads into cities with established populations of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, it could spark sustained urban transmission — something Colombia has not experienced since 1929. Public health experts also warn that case numbers may be underestimated, since yellow fever can be difficult to distinguish clinically from diseases like dengue or malaria.

Compounding the challenge is declining vaccine coverage in the region and global supply pressures on yellow fever vaccines. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine immunization programs, leaving more people susceptible. At the same time, vaccine stockpiles are limited, creating difficulties for mass vaccination campaigns.

Vaccination and Travel Rules

For travelers, vaccination is the single most important protection. Colombia follows the International Health Regulations framework, under which yellow fever vaccination is officially a “recommendation” rather than a blanket entry requirement. In practice, however, enforcement varies and can be strict in certain settings.

Travelers entering national parks and protected areas are usually required to show proof of vaccination, and the certificate must document a dose given at least 10 days before entry. Some reports also suggest that passengers on buses or riverboats traveling between municipalities may be asked to present a vaccination card or, in some cases, sign a declaration.

If you are arriving in Colombia from another yellow fever–endemic country such as Brazil, airlines or border officials may also check vaccination status more carefully. Even for general international arrivals, anecdotal reports indicate that some travelers are asked to show proof of vaccination at the airport.

A point of confusion is the validity of older vaccinations. Under World Health Organization standards, a single dose of yellow fever vaccine is considered to provide lifelong protection. But Colombia’s Ministry of Health has at times stated that vaccination should be renewed every 10 years. Given the current outbreak and emergency declaration, travelers with vaccinations older than a decade may face questions at checkpoints or may be advised to get a booster for smoother passage.

What Travelers Should Do

If you are planning to travel to Colombia, the first step is to get vaccinated well ahead of time. Schedule your vaccination at least 10 days before departure to ensure you are fully protected and your certificate will be valid. Carry your International Certificate of Vaccination (the “yellow card”) with you, and keep a digital backup on your phone.

Even if you are only visiting cities like Bogotá, Medellín, or Cartagena, it is smart to be prepared. Enforcement may be less strict in major urban centers, but the outbreak’s expansion means that the risk map is changing. If your plans shift to include national parks, eco-tourism, or rural areas, you will almost certainly need proof of vaccination.

Beyond the vaccine, mosquito avoidance remains critical. Wear long sleeves and pants, use insect repellent, and sleep under bed nets when staying in rural or forested areas. Since yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes, these precautions reduce your risk even further.

Finally, keep checking for updates until your departure. Rules can change quickly in response to the outbreak. The Ministry of Health in Colombia, PAHO/WHO, and the CDC’s Travelers’ Health website are the best places to find the latest guidance.

Final Thoughts

The yellow fever outbreak in Colombia is not only real but serious, with more than 130 cases and dozens of deaths already reported in 2025. The fact that the virus has spread beyond its traditional zones underscores how unpredictable yellow fever can be. For travelers, the safest course of action is simple: get vaccinated, carry proof, protect yourself against mosquito bites, and stay informed.

Traveling to Colombia remains possible and rewarding, but in 2025 it requires extra vigilance. A yellow card in your pocket may save you from both unnecessary delays and potentially life-threatening illness