Ghana Health Service contains yellow fever outbreak in four districts

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced the successful containment of a yellow fever outbreak that emerged between September and mid-October 2026. According to health officials, the outbreak was identified after four cases were laboratory-confirmed in the Sissala West, Wa West, Etu, and Nadowli-Kaleo districts. Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, stated that the quick detection and subsequent response have been instrumental in managing the spread of the disease within the affected communities.

To confirm the presence of the virus, samples from the suspected cases were sent for advanced laboratory testing in Dakar, Senegal. Once the results validated the outbreak, the GHS immediately initiated vaccination interventions across the four districts. These reactive vaccination campaigns are a critical part of the national strategy to prevent a wider epidemic, targeting populations at risk in the specific geographical areas where the virus was detected. Dr. Akoriyea noted that these interventions are ongoing as the service works to ensure that the transmission chain is effectively broken.

In addition to the confirmed cases, the Ghana Health Service is currently investigating reports of several deaths within the affected regions. While the specific cause of these deaths remains under investigation, health teams are on the ground to determine whether they are linked to the yellow fever outbreak or other health complications. The GHS has reinforced its surveillance systems in the Upper West Region and beyond, encouraging residents to report any symptoms, such as jaundice or high fever, to the nearest health facility immediately to ensure timely intervention and care.