Ghana: recent disease outbreaks

Yellow fever — Upper West Region (Wa West, Sissala West; reactive campaign in Sissala East)

Ghana’s Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) declared a yellow fever outbreak in parts of the Upper West Region after laboratory confirmation of three fatal cases from suspected reports dating from 9 September 2026; the declaration was announced 8–9 October 2026. Rapid response teams were deployed and the GHS ran a targeted reactive vaccination campaign 14–18 October 2026 in Wa West, Sissala West and Sissala East, aiming to vaccinate about 244,869 people aged 9 months–60 years to halt spread. National authorities also reported roughly 450 suspected yellow fever reports across Ghana between June and September 2026 while investigations continued; confirmed human cases were limited to the Upper West confirmations at the time of the announcements. Travelers to the Upper West and neighbouring northern areas should be aware of active public-health response and local vaccination activity. Ministry of Health (ISD) press release; Ghana Health Service reactive campaign notice (14–18 Oct 2026).

Ghana has a standing entry policy requiring proof of yellow fever vaccination for travellers aged 9 months or older; the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) is commonly checked at points of entry and a single dose becomes valid 10 days after vaccination. Authorities emphasise vaccination as the main preventive measure and have used reactive vaccination to contain recent local transmission. WHO International Travel & Health country list (Ghana: YF proof required); GHS campaign notice.

Meningitis surveillance — northern Ghana / meningitis-belt context

WHO’s Weekly Epidemiological Record (published 25 September 2026) summarised surveillance across the African meningitis belt and reported that several Ghana districts had crossed alert thresholds in recent reporting; the record covers confirmed and suspected meningitis activity in 2025 and notes that northern Ghana (including Upper West) remains within the seasonal meningitis-risk area where epidemics occur during the dry season (typically November–June). The WER emphasises continued surveillance, lab confirmation, and reactive or preventive meningococcal vaccination where indicated. For travelers, this means increased local meningitis risk in northern/meningitis-belt districts during the dry season and that public-health authorities may mount outbreak response vaccination campaigns when districts cross epidemic thresholds. WHO WER 101(38), 25 Sep 2026 (meningitis surveillance and guidance).

High‑pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) detections — birds (country-level animal reports)

Regional animal‑health reporting (FAO and WOAH compilations updated in October 2026) lists Ghana among countries in sub‑Saharan Africa with recent detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in birds (H5 lineage detections have been reported in several West African countries). These notices describe animal outbreaks (poultry and wild birds) and highlight ongoing surveillance and biosecurity measures; they do not report widespread human infection in Ghana during the same period. Travelers should avoid contact with sick or dead birds, backyard poultry and live‑bird market environments and follow local veterinary and public‑health advice if they work with birds. FAO Sub‑Saharan HPAI situation update (Oct 2026); WOAH regional notifications (WAHIS summary).

Polio — technical closure of recent outbreak (Ghana)

WHO Regional Office for Africa announced on 19 August 2026 that Ghana was among five countries where an independent assessment concluded that recent poliovirus outbreak transmission had been interrupted and the outbreaks closed following outbreak response activities (surveillance, laboratory strengthening and vaccination). This announcement indicates no ongoing polio outbreak transmission was judged present at the time of the technical review, but WHO and partners stress ongoing surveillance and high immunization coverage are required to prevent re‑importation. Travelers should ensure routine vaccinations (including polio where recommended for their itinerary) are up to date; the announcement does not create travel restrictions. WHO Regional Office for Africa news release (19 Aug 2026).