Ministry of Health declares Yellow Fever outbreak in Upper West Region; 3 confirmed dead

The Ministry of Health has officially declared a Yellow Fever outbreak in some affected districts in the Upper West Region.

The declaration was made in a press release issued today, after laboratory investigations confirmed the outbreak in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Background

According to the Ministry, reports of suspected cases presenting with fever, jaundice, and bleeding were recorded in health facilities from 9th September 2026 in Sissala West and Wa West Districts.

Through its surveillance system, the GHS initiated a public health investigation. Samples were initially tested in Ghana, and further testing at the WHO-accredited laboratory in Dakar, Senegal (Institut Pasteur), confirmed 3 cases of Yellow Fever.

The Ministry has confirmed that all three cases resulted in deaths despite aggressive management by health staff in those facilities.

Official Declaration

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

Government Response So Far

The Ministry, through the Ghana Health Service, says it has taken the following measures:

1. Activation of the National and Regional Public Health Emergency Operations Centres.
2. Deployment of Rapid Response Teams (RRT) to affected communities for case finding, surveillance and Risk Communication.
3. Preparing for a targeted emergency vaccination campaign in affected and at-risk districts (Wa West, Sissala West and Sissala East) this month of October.
4. Promotion of the use of insecticide repellents and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets during the day.
5. Strengthening of case management at designated health facilities.
6. Heightened surveillance across the region.

The Ministry is urging the public to remain calm and cooperate with health officials.

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Seth Yeboah

Seth Yeboah, affectionately called Nana Kwadwo Yeboah-Asiamah is a Ghanaian journalist and humanitarian whose work sits at the intersection of media, technology, and social welfare. He is known for his commitment to national development and community empowerment, He has carved out a unique path as both a truth-seeker in journalism and a digital architect in the IT sector.

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