Update on the Yellow Fever Precautions and High-Risk Areas
On April 16, 2025, the Colombian Ministry of Health declared a national health emergency due to an active outbreak of yellow fever. The declaration aims to contain the spread of the virus and protect public health.
Key
Measures for Travelers and Tour Operators:
- Mandatory
Vaccination:
Anyone traveling to areas classified as High or Very High Risk must
be vaccinated against yellow fever at least 10 days before travel.
- Access
to Protected Areas: Entry to national parks and protected ecosystems in
high-risk zones requires proof of vaccination.
- Mobility
Restrictions:
Health checkpoints may be set up, and unvaccinated individuals may be
denied entry to certain areas.
- International
Certificate of Vaccination: Although not mandatory for entry into Colombia, travelers heading
to at-risk municipalities are strongly recommended to present a
yellow fever vaccination certificate.
- Medical
Exemptions:
Individuals with medical contraindications must present a certificate and
sign a waiver. Others who refuse vaccination must sign a risk
assumption declaration.
Additional Information:
- The
vaccine is free and available at public and private health facilities nationwide, starting from
9 months of age.
- Mobile
vaccination points are being activated in terminals, borders, and rural
areas.
- The
health emergency remains in effect until eight consecutive weeks pass
without new human cases or epizootics.
- Non-compliance may result in
penalties,
including fines or criminal charges.
Below is a
breakdown of the Colombian regions classified by the Ministry of Health as very
high and high risk for yellow fever, based on current transmission
patterns and ecological vulnerability.
Very
High Risk Areas
These are
areas with active transmission or prioritized for urgent vaccination due to
recent cases:
Departments (All Municipalities):
- Amazonas
- Guainía
- Guaviare
- Putumayo
- Vaupés
- Vichada
Municipalities:
- Santa Marta (Magdalena)
- Dibulla (La Guajira)
- Convención, El Carmen, El Tarra, Hacarí, San
Calixto, Teorama, Tibú (Norte de Santander)
- Barrancabermeja
(Santander)
High Risk Areas
Endemic or
ecologically suitable areas for yellow fever transmission:
Departments (All
Municipalities):
- Arauca
- Caquetá
- Casanare
- Chocó
Municipalities:
- Antioquia: Dabeiba (rural), Mutatá (rural),
Turbo, Yondó
- Bolívar: Cantagallo, Morales, San Pablo,
Santa Rosa del Sur, Simití
- Boyacá: Cubará, Páez, Paya
- Cesar: Municipalities in the Serranía del
Perijá (e.g., La Paz, San Diego, Agustín Codazzi)
- Cundinamarca: Girardot, Cabrera, Arbeláez,
Pasca, Pandi
- Huila: Acevedo, Algeciras, Garzón,
Guadalupe, Suaza, Campoalegre, Neiva, Rivera, Baraya, Gigante, Tello,
Pitalito, Colombia
- La Guajira: Municipalities in the Serranía
del Perijá (e.g., Barrancas, Fonseca, San Juan del Cesar)
- Magdalena: Aracataca, Ciénaga, Fundación
- Meta: Mapiripán, Mesetas, La Macarena, La
Uribe, Puerto Concordia, Puerto Gaitán, Puerto Rico, San Juan de Arama,
Vista Hermosa
- Nariño: Ipiales (Sucumbíos district)
- Norte de Santander: El Zulia (rural),
Sardinata (rural)
- Santander: Charalá, Coromoro, El Playón,
Floridablanca, Girón, Piedecuesta, Puerto Wilches, Rionegro, Sabana de
Torres, Socorro, Suratá
- Tolima: Alpujarra, Carmen de Apicalá,
Coyaima, Cunday, Dolores, Guamo, Icononzo, Melgar, Natagaima, Prado,
Purificación, Saldaña, Suárez, Villarrica
- San
Andrés and Providencia: All municipalities
For information on additional cities not listed above, please refer to this comprehensive map.
Travelers to or from these areas are urged to verify their vaccination
status and follow health authority guidance.
