The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a sharp rise in yellow fever cases in South America.
According to the report from 29 December 2024 to 26 April 2025 (with Ecuador’s data updated to 2 May), 212 confirmed cases of yellow fever have been recorded in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Sadly, 85 people have died, giving a high fatality rate of 40%.
This year’s number is three times higher than the 61 confirmed cases reported in 2024, raising serious concern among health officials.
Yellow fever is a serious viral disease spread by mosquitoes. It can cause fever, chills, vomiting, liver damage, and even death.
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The current spread is being driven by increased infections in jungle areas where the virus lives in animals like monkeys and is passed to humans through mosquito bites.
What is worrying is that some of these cases have happened outside the usual Amazon region, where yellow fever is more common.
WHO says the risk is high, especially because not everyone is vaccinated, and there is a limited supply of yellow fever vaccines.
To fight the spread, WHO is working with affected countries to; improve disease tracking, strengthen hospitals and care, help inform communities and increase vaccinations.
Vaccination remains the best way to protect people from yellow fever. WHO is supporting mass vaccination campaigns and routine immunizations to stop the disease from spreading further.
Health experts stress the need for cross-border cooperation, timely testing, and fast response to stop future outbreaks.
People living in or traveling to affected areas are advised to get vaccinated, use mosquito protection, and report any symptoms like high fever or yellowing of the skin (jaundice) to health workers immediately.
