Colombia achieves international accreditation for Chagas disease control

Ninety-four municipalities across nine departments in Colombia have received international accreditation from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for interrupting the domestic vectorial transmission of Chagas disease. This milestone follows an international verification mission in October that evaluated 114 municipalities.

The accreditation benefits approximately 1.6 million people, including over 569,000 residents in rural areas where the risk of contact with the insect vector has historically been higher. The recognition specifically pertains to preventing transmission within homes via infected insect bites, though it does not imply the total elimination of the disease.

In the Santander department, 27 municipalities were among those accredited. Local health authorities credited the achievement to coordinated efforts between the Departmental Health Secretariat, municipal administrations, and technical teams focused on prevention, surveillance, and vector control. The process was supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and the National Institute of Health.