[CLSTR]
< Back to situations

Monitor this situation.

[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [HEALTH]

4 clusters · 12 sources · 16 days · First seen · Last updated

Yellow fever outbreak and vaccination in Ghana

Overview

Ghana's Ministry of Health declared a yellow fever outbreak in the Upper West Region following laboratory confirmation of three deaths. Since June 2026, approximately 450 suspected cases have been recorded nationwide, with 88 suspected cases reported in the Upper West Region specifically.

In response, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has activated emergency operations centres and deployed rapid response teams. Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh stated the situation is under control. To support the response, the government requested 187,000 additional vaccine doses to cover individuals aged 9 months to 60 years in affected areas. Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of Public Health at GHS, noted that authorities are monitoring samples sent to Dakar for further testing.

On October 14, 2026, the GHS initiated a five-day reactive vaccination campaign scheduled to run through October 18. The campaign targets the Wa West, Sissala West, and Sissala East districts, aiming to vaccinate approximately 244,869 people. Health workers are utilizing medical facilities, schools, markets, and mobile outreach teams to reach remote settlements.

By October 23, 2026, GHS Director-General Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea reported that vaccination coverage in the Wa West District had reached 92%, with 225,446 individuals vaccinated. He noted that only “one mild headache” had been recorded as a side effect. To achieve 100% coverage, authorities plan house-to-house mop-up operations, including collaborations with Veterinary Services to reach nomadic Fulani herdsmen. To facilitate these efforts, 100 motorbikes have been allocated to the Upper West Region, with 15 already arrived. Dr. Kaba also ordered the immediate release of five motorbikes to the Siriyiri Electoral Area to address nursing shortages.

Entities

Upper West Region · Ghana Health Service · Ministry of Health · World Health Organization · Kwabena Mintah Akandoh

Timeline

  1. [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Ghana yellow fever vaccination reaches 92% in Wa West

    Yellow fever vaccination in Ghana's Wa West District has reached 92%, with over 225,000 people vaccinated. Authorities are launching mop-up operations to achieve 100% coverage.

  2. [HEALTH] 4 sources
    Ghana launches yellow fever vaccination campaign in Upper West Region

    The Ghana Health Service has launched a reactive vaccination campaign in three Upper West districts to combat a yellow fever outbreak affecting 88 suspected cases in the region.

  3. [HEALTH] 3 sources
    Ghana launches vaccination campaign following yellow fever outbreak

    Ghana is launching a yellow fever vaccination campaign in the Upper West Region following confirmed cases and three deaths. Health authorities are expanding immunization to contain the outbreak.

  4. [HEALTH] 8 sources
    Ghana declares yellow fever outbreak in Upper West Region

    Ghana has declared a yellow fever outbreak in the Upper West Region after three confirmed deaths. Authorities have recorded 450 suspected cases nationwide since June and are deploying emergency response teams.

Sources

adomonline.com · angelonline.com.gh · chale.news · gbcghanaonline.com · ghanaguardian.com · ghanaiantimes.com.gh · infocotedivoire.com · kastlefmonline.com · myjoyonline.com · onuaonline.com · thevaultznews.com · upperwestmedia.net

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history