The Ghanaian government has declared a yellow fever outbreak in the Upper West Region following the confirmation of three laboratory-confirmed cases that resulted in deaths. The Ministry of Health made the declaration in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) after samples from suspected cases were tested in Ghana and further examined at the WHO-accredited laboratory in Dakar, Senegal.
The outbreak was reported in the districts of Wa West, Sissala West, and Sissala East, with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) deploying rapid response teams to affected communities to identify suspected cases, strengthen disease surveillance, and educate residents on how to prevent infection. The teams will also improve the treatment of suspected cases at designated health facilities and increase monitoring across the region.
According to the Ministry of Health, the outbreak was confirmed after reports of patients presenting with fever, yellowing of the eyes and skin, and bleeding at health facilities in Sissala West and Wa West from September 9, 2026. The Ministry has activated national and regional public health emergency operations centres to coordinate the response to the outbreak.
An emergency vaccination campaign is being planned for the affected districts, with the Ministry of Health and the GHS working to protect residents in affected and at-risk communities. The vaccination schedule will be communicated as the situation develops. The Ministry has also urged residents to watch for symptoms of yellow fever, including fever, headache, yellowing of the eyes or skin, and unusual bleeding.
Yellow fever is a viral disease spread by infected mosquitoes that bite mostly during the day. The disease can cause a range of symptoms, and some infected people may not show any symptoms. In other cases, it can lead to serious illness and death. The Ministry of Health is urging the public to seek medical attention immediately if they develop symptoms associated with the disease.
The Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akando, noted that Ghana recorded about 450 suspected yellow fever cases between June and September 2026, with 74 cases reported in the Upper West Region. At least 7 people have died in the Sissala East Municipality of the Upper West Region, with children and young people reportedly among the worst affected.
The Ministry of Health has advised residents to take practical steps to reduce their exposure to infected mosquitoes, including using mosquito repellents, sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets during the day, and removing stagnant water around homes where mosquitoes may breed. The public is also urged to follow official health announcements and cooperate with health workers carrying out surveillance and public education in affected communities.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government has declared a yellow fever outbreak in the Upper West Region following the confirmation of three laboratory-confirmed cases that resulted in deaths.
- An emergency vaccination campaign is being planned for the affected districts to protect residents in affected and at-risk communities.
- The Ministry of Health is urging residents to take practical steps to reduce their exposure to infected mosquitoes and seek medical attention immediately if they develop symptoms associated with the disease.
