On 26 Dec 2024, the Colombian Agricultural (ICA) Institute declared a state of health emergency in the department of La Guajira and dictated measures to prevent and control the outbreak in the department. The outbreak was detected in a field owned by a Wayuu community in La Guajira where more than 20 goats died. Anthrax was confirmed in 2 patients who presented skin leasions.

Anthrax - caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, present on all continents, causes high mortality in ruminants. It is highly dangerous, both for animals and for public health, and has a rapid capacity to spread.