The Ministry of Health has declared a yellow fever outbreak in parts of the Upper West Region after laboratory investigations confirmed three cases, all of which resulted in deaths.
In a press release issued by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the ministry said the outbreak was confirmed through laboratory tests conducted in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The cases were detected following reports of patients presenting with fever, jaundice and bleeding at health facilities in Sissala West and Wa West from September 9, 2026.
The Ghana Health Service subsequently launched a public health investigation, with initial tests conducted in the country. Further testing at the WHO-accredited laboratory at the Institut Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal, confirmed three cases of yellow fever.
According to the ministry, all three patients died despite efforts by health professionals to manage their conditions.
Following the confirmation, the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service have activated the national and regional Public Health Emergency Operations Centres to coordinate the response.
Rapid Response Teams have also been deployed to affected communities to identify cases, strengthen surveillance and provide risk communication.
The government is preparing a targeted emergency vaccination campaign for affected and at-risk districts, including Wa West, Sissala West and Sissala East, during October.
Other measures include strengthening case management at designated health facilities, increasing surveillance across the region and promoting the use of mosquito repellents and insecticide-treated bed nets during the day.
The ministry has also announced plans to intensify public education and community engagement in the affected districts and the wider region.
The Ministry of Health has urged residents 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.
Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes, which mostly bite during the day.
The ministry has called on traditional and religious leaders, the media, civil society organisations and the public to support efforts to contain the outbreak.
The government said it would continue to provide updates on the situation, including details of vaccination activities in the affected districts as the response progresses.
Read the statement below:
