Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh says the Ghana yellow fever outbreak is under control, as health authorities intensify surveillance and prepare an expanded vaccination campaign in affected communities.
Briefing the media, Mr Akandoh said 450 suspected cases had been recorded across all 16 regions, including 88 in the Upper West Region.
Three cases from the Upper West Region have so far been confirmed by the reference laboratory at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
The Minister urged the public to remain calm and rely on information from health authorities rather than unverified claims.
He said reported deaths were still being investigated and should not automatically be attributed to yellow fever without laboratory confirmation.
Vaccination Expanded to Adults
Government is extending vaccination beyond routine childhood immunisation to people aged nine months to 60 years in affected areas.
Mr Akandoh said an additional 187,000 doses had been requested, with vaccination teams ready to begin the campaign in the Upper West Region.
The response is targeting districts where suspected cases have been identified, including Wa West, Sissala West, Sissala East, Nadowli Kaleo and Wa East.
The Minister said vaccination remains central to bringing the outbreak firmly “under control” and cautioned against misinformation and conspiracy theories around vaccines.
GHS Urges Protection Against Mosquito Bites
Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr Franklin Asiedu Bekoe, reminded the public that yellow fever is transmitted through bites from infected mosquitoes and does not spread directly between people.
Symptoms may include fever, headache, body pains and abdominal discomfort, while severe infections can result in bleeding.
Residents have been advised to use mosquito repellents, wear protective clothing and sleep under mosquito nets.
Health authorities say continued surveillance, vaccination and early reporting of suspected cases will remain important as the response continues.
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