Yellow Fever in Ghana

Level 4 - Avoid All Travel
Level 3 - Reconsider Nonessential Travel
Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions
Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions
Map of yellow fever outbreak area in Ghana (Upper West region)
Yellow fever outbreak area in Ghana (View larger)
What is yellow fever?

Yellow fever is a severe viral disease with jaundice and hemorrhagic manifestations that is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes.

Yellow fever vaccine is the best protection against this disease. Travelers to areas where vaccination is recommended should be vaccinated at least 10 days before travel. Preventing mosquito bites is also important.

Symptoms of yellow fever include fever, chills, headache, backache, and muscle aches, and develop 3–6 days after infection. About 15% of people infected with yellow fever virus will develop severe illness that can lead to liver disease, bleeding, shock, organ failure, yellowing skin and eyes (jaundice), and sometimes death.

Diagnosis is based on symptoms, laboratory testing, and travel history. There are no medications to treat or cure yellow fever.

Key points

  • There is an outbreak of yellow fever in the Upper West Region of Ghana (see map).
  • Travelers to the Upper West Region should take steps to prevent yellow fever by getting vaccinated at least 10 days before travel and taking steps to prevent mosquito bites.
  • Travelers getting vaccinated should:
    • Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel.
    • Contact a yellow fever vaccine provider well in advance of travel. Not all providers carry yellow fever vaccine.
    • Talk with a healthcare professional if they have questions about yellow fever vaccine. Yellow fever vaccine is not recommended for some people.
  • A booster dose may be given to certain travelers or travelers who received their last dose of yellow fever vaccine at least 10 years previously and who will be in a higher-risk setting, such as the Upper West Region.
  • Travelers should seek medical care if they develop fever, chills, headache, backache, or muscle aches, during or after travel in an affected area and protect themselves against mosquito bites for 5 days after symptoms start. Travelers should let their healthcare professional know that they’ve been to an area where yellow fever cases are reported.

Traveler Information

Clinician Information