Yellow fever: WHO reports 67 cases and 18 deaths in nine African countries, including Nigeria

The World Health Organization (WHO) says 67 confirmed cases of yellow fever and 18 deaths were recorded in nine African countries between January and October 2026.

Côte d'Ivoire has been hit hardest, with 30 cases and 10 deaths. Burkina Faso recorded 15 cases and three deaths, Cameroon nine cases and one death, Ghana four cases and three deaths, and Nigeria four cases and one death. The Central African Republic, Liberia, Guinea and Togo also reported cases, but no deaths.

Yellow fever is a viral disease spread by infected mosquitoes. It can cause fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) and bleeding, and can kill.

The WHO says vaccination is the best protection, and a single dose protects for life. It urged countries to keep vaccination rates high, improve testing and disease tracking, and control mosquitoes. Travellers aged nine months and over going to affected areas should be vaccinated.

The WHO rates the risk as moderate across Africa and low worldwide. Nigerians can get the vaccine free under routine immunisation at primary health centres.