Ghana declares yellow fever outbreak in Upper West Region

The Ministry of Health has declared a yellow fever outbreak in affected districts of the Upper West Region after laboratory tests confirmed three cases, all of which resulted in deaths.

The Ministry, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), said the cases were confirmed following investigations into suspected infections reported at health facilities in Sissala West and Wa West since September 9, 2026.

According to a press release issued by the Minister for Health, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, samples initially tested in Ghana were sent to the WHO-accredited laboratory in Dakar, Senegal, for further testing, which confirmed the three cases as yellow fever.

The declaration was made in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005) and the National Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851).

In response to the outbreak, the Ministry said the National and Regional Public Health Emergency Operations Centres had been activated to coordinate the response.

Rapid Response Teams have also been deployed to affected communities to conduct case finding, surveillance and risk communication.

The Ministry is preparing a targeted emergency vaccination campaign for affected and at-risk districts, including Wa West, Sissala West and Sissala East, scheduled for October 2026.

Other measures include strengthening case management at designated health facilities, increasing surveillance across the region and promoting the use of insecticide repellents and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets during the day.

The Ministry has urged the public to report to the nearest health facility immediately if they experience sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or unusual bleeding.

It has also advised residents to eliminate stagnant water around their homes, use mosquito repellents and avoid self-medication.

The public has been cautioned against spreading rumours and unverified information and encouraged to rely on official updates from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service.

The Ministry has called on traditional and religious leaders, the media, civil society organisations and the general public to support efforts to contain the outbreak.

It assured the public that regular updates would be provided, including information on the vaccination exercise as the situation develops.