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

30 Nov 2021

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.

Advice to travellers

Yellow fever is a viral disease that is transmitted by infected mosquitoes that bite during the day. The most common symptoms are fever, muscle pain with prominent backache, headache, loss of appetite, and nausea or vomiting. A small proportion of people who become infected can become severely unwell and die.

If you are visiting an area where yellow fever is present you should:

• use personal protective measures to avoid mosquito bites at all times

A yellow fever vaccine is available to protect you against yellow fever. Vaccination is recommended if you are visiting areas where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission. The vaccine is only available at designated yellow fever centres.

• Locate your nearest centre in Scotland
• Locate your nearest centre England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Please see the fitfortravel Yellow Fever page for more information.