Nigeria records four yellow fever cases as WHO reports 67 infections

Nigeria and eight other African countries recorded 67 confirmed yellow fever cases, including 18 deaths, between January and October 2026, according to the WHO. The affected countries are Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo.

In a Disease Outbreak News report published on 6 November 2026, the WHO stated that yellow fever transmission continues across its African Region. Recent outbreak activity is concentrated in parts of West Africa, including communities close to international borders.

Country Breakdown and Risks

Nigeria recorded four confirmed cases, including one death, during the reporting period, while Cameroon reported nine cases and one death. Côte d'Ivoire recorded the highest number of confirmed cases, with 30 infections and 10 deaths, followed by Burkina Faso with 15 cases and three deaths.

Ghana recorded four cases and three deaths, and Liberia reported one laboratory-confirmed case. The Central African Republic recorded two cases, while Guinea and Togo reported one case each, with no deaths recorded in the latter three countries. The figures reflect the latest information available as of 12 October 2026.

The WHO identified frequent cross-border movement, uneven vaccination coverage and environmental conditions that favour the spread of infected mosquitoes as factors increasing the risk of further transmission. Occupational and environmental exposures, such as work in or near forested areas, mining activities and other outdoor occupations, are also risk factors. Cross-border movement for trade, farming, livestock and mining could contribute to the spread of the virus between affected and neighbouring countries.

Response and Prevention

Affected countries, with support from the WHO and other partners, are strengthening disease surveillance, investigating cases, conducting laboratory tests and intensifying efforts to identify infections. Other measures include community engagement, risk communication and vaccination activities in affected and high-risk areas. The WHO assessed the overall public health risk in the African Region as moderate on 27 October, while the global risk remains low.

Yellow fever is an acute viral disease transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes, causing symptoms like fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and weakness. About 15 per cent of infected people develop severe illness, which may involve recurrent high fever, jaundice, bleeding, shock and organ failure. Approximately half of patients who enter this severe phase die within seven to 10 days, and there is no specific antiviral treatment routinely recommended.

Vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure, as a single dose provides lifelong protection. The WHO urged at-risk countries to maintain high vaccination coverage through routine immunisation and preventive campaigns, and advised international travellers aged nine months and above visiting risk areas to receive vaccination.