The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Nigeria and eight other African countries recorded 67 confirmed yellow fever cases, including 18 deaths, between January 1 and October 12, 2026.
In its latest situation report on Friday, WHO identified the affected countries as Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo.
According to WHO, recent outbreak activities have been concentrated in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Liberia, including communities close to international borders.
The organisation identified occupational and environmental exposures, particularly activities around forested areas, mining sites, and other outdoor occupations, as significant risk factors for yellow fever infection.
It warned that frequent cross-border movements, the presence of competent mosquito vectors, and uneven vaccination coverage could increase transmission and facilitate the spread of the disease.
WHO said affected countries, with support from the organisation and partners, were strengthening surveillance, investigating cases, conducting laboratory testing, and intensifying active case detection.
“Other response measures include risk communication, community engagement and vaccination activities targeting affected communities and areas considered at increased risk of infection,” it said.
The health agency said it assessed the overall public health risk of the ongoing yellow fever situation as moderate at the regional level on October 27, 2026.
It, however, maintained that the global public health risk associated with the current yellow fever situation remained low.
(NAN)
Discussion about this post