Yellow fever health emergency: Ministry of Transportation announces new mandatory travel measures in Colombia

The Ministry of Transportation announced new mandatory health measures for all road users using land and river transportation, as part of the health emergency declared by the Ministry of Health.

This decision responds to the growing number of yellow fever cases, which primarily affect the department of Tolima, but which threatens to spread to other regions.

The resolution establishes that this regulation will remain in effect while the health emergency is active, with the purpose of "guaranteeing the mobility and health of users throughout the country."

One of the most important changes is that all passengers must now present their yellow fever vaccination card or certificate when purchasing their tickets, either at physical points or online.

Land transport terminals and river docks in the country will be required to request the document.

Local authorities will be responsible for verifying compliance with the requirement, especially in municipalities identified as high-risk.

The health emergency decree was officially issued on Monday, April 21, through Resolution 691 of 2025. It establishes the national priority of mass vaccination for those who have not received the vaccine.

The risk classification contained in the resolution gives authorities the freedom to act with greater precision in the most vulnerable territories.

Katherine Rengifo, Secretary of Health of Tolima, explained that the department's strategy is based on several lines of action , the most urgent being the mass vaccination campaign.

"The first challenge was reaching the rural area where the first case occurred," he explained, adding that the health team had to travel up to eight hours over difficult roads to immunize farming communities.

Vaccination campaigns have been reinforced with mobile brigades, air transport, and partnerships with social organizations to ensure coverage even in the most remote areas.

Daniel Gonzalo Eslava Albarracín, national leader of internationalization at the UNAD School of Health Sciences, explained that yellow fever is a serious viral disease transmitted by the bite of a mosquito previously infected with the virus.

The main symptoms include persistent high fever, yellowing of the skin and eyes, unexplained bleeding, abdominal pain, and severe vomiting.

According to the specialist, the best defense is prevention. He recommends five key actions: