Yellow fever, a viral mosquito-borne disease, continues to cause severe outbreaks, despite being preventable through vaccination. This highlights the need for effective control measures and ongoing epidemiological monitoring. Since the beginning of 2025, over 200 confirmed human cases of yellow fever have been reported in five Latin American countries. The increase in number of cases from the previous year reflects in part a periodic reactivation of sylvatic transmission cycles in the Amazon basin with spillover human cases. However, outbreaks are also reported outside the Amazonas in Brazil and Colombia. In Brazil, sylvatic circulation is also occurring near densely populated areas, which heightens the risk for urban outbreaks.
The Eliminate Yellow fever Epidemics (EYE) is a global multi-partner initiative aimed at eliminating yellow fever epidemics.
Objectives
- To provide an up-to-date overview of the current yellow fever outbreaks in Colombia and Brazil, including epidemiological analysis, factors contributing to the spread, and national response efforts to prevent urban transmission,
- To share recent developments in the EYE Strategy’s regional implementation with a focus on prevention and urban preparedness,
- To facilitate knowledge exchange among public health authorities and partners to support coordinated regional action against yellow fever.
Speakers
Welcome Remarks: Maria Van Kerkhove, EPM Director (ai), WHO HQ
Introduction yellow fever and the EYE Strategy: Laurence Cibrelus, EYE Strategy, Epidemic and Pandemic Threat Management Department, WHO HQ
Perspective of yellow fever in the Americas & update on the regional EYE Strategy implementation: Andrea Vicari, Unit Chief, Infectious Hazard Management, PAHO
Update on the yellow fever outbreak in Colombia: Diana Pava, Director of the National Institute of Health, Colombia
Overview of the epidemiological situation and response measures and Brazil: Daniel Ramos, General Coordination of Arboviruses, Secretariat of Health and Environmental Surveillance, Ministry of Health, Brazil
Q&A