Hospital costs and burden of disease due to yellow fever re-emergence in South America: a Colombian analysis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objectives: Yellow fever (YF) is an endemic disease in regions of South America that has recently re-emerged in non-endemic areas. To the best of our knowledge, evidence on the hospital costs and burden of YF remains scarce worldwide. This study is the first analysis of the direct hospital costs and burden of disease due to YF in Colombia. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate direct hospital costs and burden of disease due to YF in Colombia during 2025. Direct hospital costs were estimated using a case-based bottom-up costing approach stratified by disease severity according to the Pan American Health Organization Clinical Management and National Guidelines, whereas the burden of disease was assessed using years of life lost (YLLs). Results: During 2025, 125 confirmed YF cases and 45 deaths were identified in Colombia, with a fatality rate of 36%. The total outbreak-related hospital costs were estimated at 1.0 million US dollars, and 1816.98 YLLs were documented, predominantly affecting rural adults aged 27-60 years. Conclusion: The re-emergence of YF in Colombia was associated with substantial hospitalization burden due to the high proportion of moderate and severe cases, resulting in increased demand for high-complexity health care services and high-cost advanced therapies. The concentration of YLLs among working-age adults highlights the disease's social and economic impact.
Source: IJID Regions
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,380
OpenAlex ID: W7221613448