PAHO issues new epidemiological alert amid rising yellow fever cases in the Americas

WASHINGTON, CMC – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Monday issued a new epidemiological alert in response to an increase in yellow fever cases across the Americas during the first months of 2025.

It said that the number of confirmed human cases as of March 22 has more than doubled compared to the total recorded in all of 2024, raising concerns about a potential expansion of the disease.

Initial symptoms of yellow fever can include fever, chills, severe headache, back pain, general body aches, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness.

Severe symptoms include high fever, yellow skin or eyes (jaundice), bleeding, shock, and organ failure.

PAHO said that in the first three months of this year, 131 human cases have been confirmed, with 53 deaths as compared with 61 cases reported throughout last year, 30 of which were fatal.

PAHO said that particularly concerning are the new cases reported since October 2024 in the department of Tolima, Colombia, which indicates the virus is appearing in areas not previously affected in past years.

“In these regions, activities such as agriculture represent a risk factor for exposure to the virus. The increase in cases and their geographic spread highlights the urgent need to strengthen surveillance, prevention, and control measures to contain the disease.”

In addition, the epidemiological situation in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, with 34 cases and 19 deaths, is worrying due to its proximity to densely populated urban centres, increasing the risk of a larger outbreak, it added.

While the figures released by PAHO did not include any Caribbean country, it warned nonetheless that yellow fever is a serious viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, which can be fatal but is preventable through vaccination.

It said the vast majority of the cases detected have involved individuals who were not vaccinated.

PAHO has since called for intensifying vaccination efforts in at-risk areas, aiming for coverage rates above 95 per cent.

“Vaccination is the most effective tool to combat the disease. PAHO also recommends that countries review their vaccine stocks, ensure rapid response plans for outbreaks, and make sure travellers to endemic areas are informed and vaccinated.”

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