Ghana declares yellow fever outbreak in Upper West Region

Ghana's Ministry of Health has declared a yellow fever outbreak in the Upper West Region following laboratory confirmation of three cases, all of which resulted in death. These confirmed cases were identified through testing at a WHO-accredited laboratory in Dakar, Senegal.

Since June 2026, health authorities have recorded approximately 450 suspected cases nationwide, with 74 of those suspected infections located in the Upper West Region. The outbreak was first noted in September in the Sissala West and Wa West districts, where patients presented with fever, jaundice, and bleeding.

In response, the Ghana Health Service has activated national and regional emergency operations centres and deployed rapid response teams for surveillance and case finding. The government is also preparing a targeted emergency vaccination campaign for the Wa West, Sissala West, and Sissala East districts. Additional measures include strengthening case management at designated facilities and promoting the use of insecticide-treated bed nets and repellents.