Death Toll from Colombia Yellow Fever Hits Eight
Date: 26-Jan-04
Country: COLOMBIA
The epidemic, which has hit hardest near the Sierra Nevada mountains, forced the South American government to close five parks and has prompted a massive vaccination campaign.
"We have eight deaths confirmed due to the yellow fever epidemic," said Health Minister Diego Palacio. He said no urban centers have been affected.
Palacio said Colombia had sent an aid plane to neighboring Brazil to pick up additional vaccines for thousands of people waiting in crowded hospitals. Symptoms of the viral illness include fever, muscle pain, headache, shivers and nausea.
One of the parks temporarily closed is Sierra Nevada, popular among foreign backpackers for its mist-covered mountains and jungles and home to many Indian communities.
Last September, gunmen from Colombia's second-largest Marxist rebel group - the National Liberation Army - kidnapped eight foreign backpackers trekking near the ancient Indian "Lost City" in Sierra Nevada. The last five of the hostages were freed in December after 100 days in captivity.