Health Sector Organizations in Venezuela Demand Action Amidst "Beginning" of Yellow Fever Epidemic
El Diario Venezuela - elDiario.com - Health Sector Organizations in Venezuela Demand Action Amidst "Beginning" of Yellow Fever Epidemic
TL;DR
- 24 health and other organizations have urged Venezuelan authorities to address an apparent yellow fever epidemic.
- The organizations point to a reported eight-month delay in official communication regarding the initial cases, which surfaced in June 2025.
- They are calling for the Ministry of Health to release epidemiological bulletins for 2024, 2025, and early 2026.
- Health Minister Nuramy Gutiérrez confirmed "some deaths" from yellow fever in 2025 but did not provide figures to avoid panic.
- As of early 2026, seven positive cases have been recorded, and Venezuela is under an "epidemiological alert."
- The government aims for a 95% vaccination coverage, with recent efforts immunizing approximately 49,000 people, adding to millions vaccinated in the previous decade.
- By late February, 36 yellow fever cases had been registered since June of the previous year.
- Venezuela has received vaccine donations from various countries, including India, South Korea, Russia, and Brazil.
- Previous reports indicate the Expanded Immunization Program (PAI) has failed to meet its coverage goals in the last decade.