Health authorities in Colombia have reported 243,538 cases of dengue so far this year, representing a national incidence of 730.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. A total of 2,270 severe dengue cases have been reported, and 106 deaths have been confirmed (a mortality rate of 0.31 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and a case fatality rate of 0.04%). In 2023, Colombia reported 130,070 cases and 90 deaths. In recent weeks, a downward trend in the number of cases has been observed.
The Andean and Pacific regions accounted for 83.8% (204,186) of the country’s cases and 69.8% (74) of the confirmed deaths; however, the highest incidence rates were observed in the Amazon, Orinoco, and Pacific regions, with the highest fatality rates in the Amazon region.
As of August 10, 78.3% (190,682) of the accumulated cases nationwide originated from Valle del Cauca, Cali, Santander, Tolima, Huila, Antioquia, Cundinamarca, Cauca, Norte de Santander, and Risaralda.
Of the confirmed dengue deaths, 52.8% (56) were concentrated in the departments of Valle del Cauca, Santander, Tolima, Huila, and Putumayo, while the territorial entities with the highest dengue fatality rates (>0.10%) were La Guajira, Putumayo, Cesar, Boyacá, Atlántico, and Bolívar.
Since 2007, dengue in Colombia has shown a fluctuating pattern with epidemic cycles approximately every three years (2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2023), with the 2023-2024 epidemic cycle (preliminary data) recording the highest number of reported cases to date, but the lowest dengue fatality rate compared to previous epidemics.
The highest incidence rates were observed in those under 17 years of age, while the highest dengue fatality rates were seen in the 65+ age group, followed by the 0 to 4 years age group.
During 2023-2024, all four dengue virus serotypes continue to circulate, and based on genetic diversity, the Cosmopolitan genotype was identified in the DENV-2 serotype. However, the Asian-American genotype remains dominant in this serotype, while in the other serotypes (DENV-1, -3, -4), genetic diversity has not changed.
In 2024, the identification of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus continues, with new records of the latter in four departments: Boyacá, Córdoba, Guainía, and Tolima.
