Health Ministry declares yellow fever outbreak in Upper West Region after three deaths

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

In a statement, the Ministry said the confirmation followed investigations into suspected cases reported in health facilities in Sissala West and Sissala East from September 9, 2026.

The Ghana Health Service (GHS), working with the World Health Organisation (WHO), initially tested samples locally before further laboratory investigations at the WHO-accredited Institute Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal, confirmed the three cases.

The Ministry said all three patients died despite efforts by health staff to manage their conditions.

“In line with the International Health Regulations (2005) and the National Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), the Minister for Health hereby declares a Yellow Fever outbreak in the affected districts in the Upper West Region,” the statement said.

Following the declaration, the government has activated national and regional public health emergency operations centres and deployed rapid response teams to affected communities for case finding, surveillance and risk communication.

The Ministry is also preparing a targeted emergency vaccination campaign in Wa West, Sissala West and Sissala East districts this month.

Other measures include intensified surveillance, improved case management at designated health facilities and public education on preventing mosquito bites.

Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes, which mostly bite during the day. Symptoms can include sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, jaundice and unusual bleeding.

The Ministry has urged anyone experiencing these symptoms to report immediately to the nearest health facility, eliminate stagnant water around homes and use insecticide-treated mosquito nets and repellents.

It has also cautioned the public against self-medication and urged people to rely on official information from the Ministry and the Ghana Health Service as the response continues.