Yellow fever in Ghana (Savannah, Upper West, Northern, Oti, Bono)

According to media, the Ghana Health Service has reported 39 deaths from yellow fever between mid-October and 26 November 2021. Cases have been reported in Savannah, Upper West, Northern, Oti and Bono regions, with most deaths in Savannah.

Yellow fever is endemic in Ghana, although these are the first cases reported since 2019.

Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease which is transmitted by the day-biting Aedes mosquito. It is found in tropical areas of Africa and Central and South America, including Venezuela.

Advice to travellers

All travellers should be advised to practice mosquito bite avoidance at all times.

A traveller's risk of yellow fever is determined by their individual risk assessment. Factors that will influence their risk includes:

• country or countries to be visited
• length of stay
• rate of transmission at destination
• immunisation status
• planned activities

Unvaccinated travellers who visit yellow fever endemic areas are at risk of becoming infected.

• Yellow fever vaccine should be considered (unless contraindicated) for travellers at risk.

Please refer to the TRAVAX Ghana country page and Yellow fever disease page for further information.