The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has disclosed that three deaths linked to yellow fever in the Upper West Region have been scientifically confirmed, while 15 other suspected deaths are being investigated.
The development comes after the Ministry of Health declared a yellow fever outbreak in affected districts of the region following laboratory confirmation of three cases, all of which resulted in death.
Speaking at a press briefing, Mr Akandoh said the suspected institutional deaths were recorded in Wa East (3), Sissala West (3), Sissala East (3) and Nadowli-Kaleo (1).
He also disclosed suspected community deaths in Sissala East (4) and Wa West (1), bringing the total number of suspected deaths under investigation to 15.
The Minister stressed that although the deaths are being investigated for possible links to yellow fever, only three have so far been scientifically confirmed.
The outbreak investigation follows reports of suspected cases presenting with symptoms including fever, jaundice and bleeding in Sissala West and Wa West.
Samples were initially tested in Ghana before further analysis at a WHO-accredited laboratory in Dakar, Senegal, confirmed the three cases.
Health authorities have activated national and regional public health emergency operations centres and deployed rapid response teams to affected communities to strengthen surveillance, identify cases and educate residents.
The government is also preparing a targeted emergency vaccination campaign for affected and at-risk districts, including Wa West, Sissala West and Sissala East.
The measures follow an earlier disclosure by Mr Akandoh that Ghana recorded about 450 suspected yellow fever cases nationwide between June and September 2026, with 74 reported in the Upper West Region. Three cases from the region had been confirmed at the time.
Residents have been urged to seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms such as sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or unusual bleeding. They have also been advised to avoid self-medication, eliminate stagnant water around their homes and use mosquito repellents and insecticide-treated nets.
The Ministry has urged the public to remain calm and rely on official updates as investigations continue and health authorities work to contain the outbreak.
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