How many dengue cases does Colombia report annually?

Colombia reports 50,000–150,000 dengue cases annually. The country has a bimodal epidemic pattern (two peaks per year) coinciding with two rainy seasons. Barranquilla, Medellín, Cali, and Caribbean coastal regions carry the highest burden.

What is the bimodal dengue pattern in Colombia?

Colombia has two rainy seasons — March–May and September–November — creating two annual dengue peaks. Cases rise with each rainy season as Aedes breeding sites multiply. This bimodal pattern is more pronounced in inter-Andean valleys and coastal regions than in highland areas.

Is dengue a risk in Colombian cities like Bogotá?

Bogotá, at 2,640 meters altitude, has lower dengue risk due to temperatures being too cool for Aedes aegypti. However, Medellín (1,495m) experiences dengue, as does Cali and all coastal cities. Travelers visiting multiple Colombian cities should be aware of the altitude-risk relationship.

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Dengue Fever in Colombia

Colombia's bimodal rainy seasons drive two annual dengue peaks, making it one of Latin America's highest-burden countries year after year.

VirusWatch Editorial Team — Last reviewed: May 2025

Medical Disclaimer: For dengue: paracetamol only — NOT ibuprofen. Not medical advice. VirusWatch is an independent website. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to WHO, CDC, ECDC, PAHO, or any government health agency. Content is not medically reviewed.

Key Data

Metric	Data
Annual cases	50,000–150,000
Epidemic pattern	Bimodal (March–May; September–November)
High-risk areas	Caribbean coast, Medellín, Cali, inter-Andean valleys
Lower-risk areas	Bogotá (altitude too high), Andean highlands >1,800m
Health authority	Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS), Colombia

Altitude and Dengue Risk

Colombia's unique geography — spanning Caribbean coast, Andean mountains, Amazon basin, and Pacific coast — creates highly variable dengue risk by altitude. Aedes aegypti cannot survive above approximately 1,800–2,200 meters due to temperature constraints. Bogotá at 2,640m is relatively safe from dengue; Medellín at 1,495m is at risk; coastal cities are at high risk year-round.

Colombia also experiences Zika and chikungunya transmission in the same mosquito-risk zones. During the 2015–2016 Zika epidemic, Colombia had the second-largest caseload in the Americas after Brazil.

Traveler's Note: Planning Around Dengue in Colombia

Colombia is a rewarding destination with extraordinary geographic and cultural diversity — and with careful planning, dengue risk is manageable. The key practical points for travelers:

Altitude is your best guide. If your Colombia itinerary stays above 2,000m (Bogotá, the coffee region highlands, Villa de Leyva), dengue risk is minimal. If it includes the Caribbean coast (Cartagena, Santa Marta, Barranquilla), Cali, Medellín, or any Amazon or lowland area, apply DEET daily.
Time your trip if possible. Dengue transmission is lowest in Colombia's dry seasons: December–February and June–August. If your travel falls in the rainy season peaks (March–May or September–November), take additional precautions.
Use DEET 20–30% or picaridin during daylight hours — Aedes aegypti bites primarily during the day, unlike malaria-transmitting mosquitoes which bite at night. Long sleeves and trousers add additional protection.
Seek care early. Colombia's major cities have good hospitals with NS1 antigen testing. If you develop fever (≥38°C) within 2 weeks of visiting a risk area, get tested promptly. Colombia's SIVIGILA dengue surveillance system tracks outbreaks by municipality.
Ibuprofen warning. Never take ibuprofen or aspirin for suspected dengue fever — both are contraindicated because they increase bleeding risk. Use paracetamol only, and see a doctor.

The Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS) publishes weekly dengue bulletins at ins.gov.co for regularly updated surveillance data by department and municipality.

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FAQ

Bogotá (2,640m altitude) is relatively safe from dengue because Aedes aegypti cannot survive at that altitude. However, Colombians and tourists who travel from Bogotá to coastal or lower-altitude cities should take dengue precautions immediately upon arriving in those regions.

Colombia has two dengue peaks: March–May and September–November, corresponding to the two annual rainy seasons. Cases are lowest during drier periods (December–February and June–August) but transmission occurs year-round in tropical coastal regions.

Sources: Colombia INS dengue reports; PAHO Americas dengue data; WHO PAHO Colombia situational reports.