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In Colombia, MSF works against yellow fever outbreak

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In early March, MSF initiated a yellow fever vaccination campaign in the rural area of La Fortuna, in the Cataumbo region of Colombia - close to the Venezuelan border.

Since its start, MSF has vaccinated 113 people assisting the local authorities against the outbreak that has resulted in four cases (that have resulted in three deaths) since February.

MSF is planning to spread this action to the towns of Santa Catalina, San Juan and La Primavera. Yellow fever is endemic in this zone and the low vaccination coverage makes this high conflict area a time bomb.

Although in the past 10 years no yellow fever case was reported, the re-emergence of an outbreak close to the Venezuela border alerted the local authorities. Besides the activity during this yellow fever outbreak, MSF is planning to increase its presence with malaria and sexual and reproductive health programmes.