Yellow Fever in Ghana
Warning - Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel
Alert - Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions
Watch - Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions
Key points
- Since October 2021, there has been a yellow fever outbreak in Ghana with numerous cases, including some deaths, in the following regions: Savannah, Upper West, Bono, and Oti.
- Yellow fever is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes. All travelers should take steps to prevent mosquito bites while traveling in Ghana.
- To prevent yellow fever, all travelers aged 9 months or older should get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel. (Vaccination is required for entry).
- Yellow fever vaccine is not recommended for some people. Because of the current outbreak, people who have never been vaccinated against yellow fever should avoid travel to Ghana.
- Travelers who received yellow fever vaccine 10 or more years ago should talk with a travel medicine provider about getting a booster before traveling to affected areas in Ghana.
- Travelers should seek medical care immediately if they develop fever, chills, severe headache, back pain, general body aches, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, or weakness.
Traveler Information
- CDC Yellow Fever Website
- FAQs about Yellow Fever
- Health Information for Travelers to Ghana
- Travelers' Health Yellow Fever Website
- Yellow Fever Vaccine
Clinician Information
- Yellow Fever in the CDC Yellow Book (Health Information for International Travel)
- Yellow Fever Vaccine Information for Healthcare Providers
- Yellow Fever Vaccine: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (MMWR 2010)
Map: Area of yellow fever outbreak in Ghana (see larger map)
What is yellow fever?
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever that is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
Symptoms of yellow fever (fever, chills, headache, backache, and muscle aches) 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 (jaundice), and sometimes death.
There are no medications to treat or cure yellow fever.
Page last reviewed: December 14, 2021