GENEVA, Switzerland / AfricaWire.IO / – The World Health Organization has warned of continued yellow fever outbreaks in Africa after 67 confirmed cases were recorded across nine countries. The cases, including 18 deaths, were reported between January 1 and October 12, 2026. The affected countries are Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo. WHO assessed the public health risk as moderate at the regional level and low globally.
Côte d’Ivoire has been the hardest hit, with 30 confirmed cases and 10 deaths as of September 23, a case fatality rate of 33%. The cases were spread across nine districts in seven regions, with Bounkani district accounting for 18 of them. Burkina Faso reported 15 cases and 3 deaths, while Cameroon recorded 9 cases and 1 death. Ghana confirmed 4 cases, 3 of them fatal.
Nigeria reported 4 cases and 1 death, the Central African Republic 2 cases, and Guinea, Liberia and Togo 1 case each. Liberia reported its case as of September 23. WHO said the most recent outbreak activity has been concentrated in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Liberia, including communities near international borders. Overall, 18 of the 67 confirmed patients have died, a fatality rate of about 27%.
Cross-border spread risk
WHO said cross-border population movement, the presence of mosquitoes capable of transmitting the disease and uneven vaccination coverage are among the main factors raising the risk of further spread. People are frequently exposed through outdoor work, farming, mining and activities in forested areas. Introductions into urban and peri-urban areas where Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are established pose an added threat. Like dengue, yellow fever is spread by Aedes mosquitoes.
The organization assessed the overall risk as moderate in the African Region on October 27, citing likely continued transmission, the potential for spread across borders, immunity gaps and operational constraints. The global risk remains low. Some at-risk areas have gaps in immunity, including places where preventive vaccination campaigns have not been carried out. Reporting cut-off dates vary by country, WHO said. Earlier this year, six countries in the Americas reported 79 yellow fever infections by late May, with Colombia the most affected.
Vaccination remains key defense
WHO said a single dose of yellow fever vaccine provides lifelong protection. Affected countries are carrying out preventive and reactive vaccination in high-risk areas, with access to the international emergency vaccine stockpile. Average routine vaccination coverage in Africa was 65% in 2024, WHO said in June. Campaigns in high-risk countries reached more than 35 million people between 2025 and May 2026.
WHO urged countries to strengthen surveillance, laboratory testing, vector control and coordination at border crossings. Travelers aged 9 months and older going to at-risk areas should be vaccinated, though WHO advises against travel or trade restrictions. The outbreaks add to other mosquito-borne threats in southern and western Africa, including malaria in Namibia. WHO’s strategy to eliminate yellow fever epidemics runs from 2017 to 2026.