Health authorities have recorded about 450 suspected yellow fever cases across Ghana between June and September 2026, with the Upper West Region accounting for 74 of the cases.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh disclosed that three of the 74 suspected cases in the Upper West Region have so far been confirmed as yellow fever.
The Minister stressed that suspected cases must undergo laboratory testing before illnesses or deaths can conclusively be attributed to the disease.
“As of yesterday, the suspected cases were around 450 from June to September. Of those, 74 were from the Upper West, and three were confirmed from the Upper West,” he said.
Mr Akandoh explained that although health professionals may identify symptoms consistent with particular diseases, laboratory confirmation is required before a definitive determination can be made.
“You see, sometimes the health professionals have a way of determining whether or not a death is attributable to a particular disease, but not until it’s confirmed,” he said.
Speaking at the Ministry of Health’s Health Sector Update Engagement in Accra, the Minister said government had intensified surveillance and response measures, particularly in northern Ghana.
He said laboratories had been supplied with the necessary reagents to facilitate the testing and confirmation of suspected yellow fever cases.
Following the confirmation of cases in the Upper West Region, a National Rapid Response Team has been deployed to support local health authorities.
Mr Akandoh said designated areas at district hospitals had also been isolated to facilitate the management of suspected and confirmed patients.
He appealed to the public and media organisations to remain calm and support the health authorities’ response, assuring the public that measures were being implemented to contain the situation.
“We don’t have to press the panic buttons. So the media, please, let’s handle it well; there are a lot of things that have been deployed,” he said.
