Yellow fever in Ghana

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

Yellow fever is endemic in Ghana, although these are the first cases reported since 2019. The disease is widespread in tropical Africa and is transmitted by day-biting Aedes mosquitoes.

Advice for travellers

Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease which is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, and is found in tropical areas of Africa, and Central and South America. All travellers to these areas are 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 that visit yellow fever endemic areas are at risk of becoming infected, so yellow fever vaccine is recommended, unless contraindicated, for travellers at risk.

Further advice and information on yellow fever is available on the TRAVAX (for health professionals) and fitfortravel (for the general public) websites.

Source: TRAVAX, 30 November 2021