The Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador has announced that, starting from 12 May 2025, all travellers arriving from Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, and Brazil will be required to present an International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever. This preventive measure aims to curb the spread of the virus within the country.
The regulation applies to citizens and residents of these countries, as well as to any travellers who have transited through or visited these territories within the ten days prior to entering Ecuador.
The certificate will only be considered valid if the vaccine was administered at least 10 days before travel, in line with recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes. While Ecuador has not reported recent outbreaks in urban areas, health authorities maintain epidemiological surveillance in regions such as the Amazon, where transmission risk is higher. The Ministry urges Ecuadorian nationals planning to travel to internal high-risk areas to get vaccinated in advance.
The Ministry also reminded the public that this certificate may be requested at any migration checkpoint, whether arriving by air, land, or sea. Travellers who fail to present valid proof of vaccination may face entry restrictions or denial of entry into the country.
This measure forms part of a broader regional effort to control vector-borne diseases amid high international mobility and climate change. Authorities highlighted that Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, and Brazil continue to report active endemic zones, justifying stricter border health controls.
