Yellow Fever in the Upper West: Calm, Vigilance and Vaccination

On 9 October 2026, the Ministry of Health declared a yellow fever outbreak in affected districts of the Upper West Region after laboratory confirmation of three cases, all of which were fatal.

The Ministry acted under the International Health Regulations (2005) and the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), in partnership with the Ghana Health Service and the World Health Organisation.

What is known
Health facilities in Sissala West and Wa West first reported suspected cases presenting fever, jaundice and bleeding from 9 September 2026. Samples tested in-country were then sent to the WHO-accredited Institut Pasteur laboratory in Dakar, which confirmed the cases.

Nationally, about 450 suspected cases were recorded between June and September. The Health Minister, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has said the situation is under control and urged the public to stay calm and rely on official information. Health authorities are also investigating other reported deaths, which cannot be attributed to yellow fever without laboratory confirmation.

The response
The national and regional emergency operations centres have been activated and rapid response teams deployed for case finding, surveillance and risk communication. A vaccination exercise is expected to begin next week in Wa West, Sissala West and Sissala East. Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, said preparations are almost complete.

What residents should know
Yellow fever is spread by infected mosquito bites, not directly from person to person. The WHO notes that about 15 per cent of infected people develop a severe form, with jaundice, bleeding, and kidney and liver damage, and that there is no specific antiviral treatment.

The Ministry advises people to report promptly to the nearest health facility with sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or unusual bleeding, and to avoid self-medication. The Ghana Health Service also recommends repellents, long sleeves and trousers, and mosquito nets, including during the day when the transmitting mosquitoes are active.

A shared effort
Early declaration, laboratory confirmation and a planned vaccination drive show a system that is responding. The outcome will depend on communities, traditional and religious leaders, and the media working with health workers.

Residents of the three districts can help by coming forward for vaccination when the exercise starts and by sharing only verified information.

Mustapha Bature Sallama
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Analysis,

International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding. (USIP)

Mustysallama@gmail.com
+233555275880

Sources
Ghana News Agency, "Health Minister confirms three yellow fever cases in Upper West" (9 October 2026): gna.org.gh/2026/10/health-minister-confirms-three-yellow-fever-cases-in-upper-west/

Graphic Online, "Health Ministry declares Yellow Fever outbreak in Upper West Region": graphic.com.gh/news/health/health-ministry-declares-yellow-fever-outbreak-in-upper-west-region.html

Graphic Online, "Yellow fever situation under control – Health Minister": graphic.com.gh/news/health/yellow-fever-situation-under-control-health-minister.html

Ghanaian Times, "Health alert: Yellow fever outbreak in Upper West": ghanaiantimes.com.gh/health-alert-yellow-fever-outbreak-in-upper-west-3-cases-confirmed-74-suspected-rapid-response-team-deployed/

MyJoyOnline, "Approved vaccine to be rolled out in Upper West next week – GHS": myjoyonline.com/approved-vaccine-to-be-rolled-out-in-upper-west-next-week-ghs/

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