Yellow fever deaths reach 18 across nine African countries, with Nigeria recording four confirmed cases and one fatality, according to WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday, 6 November 2026, reported 67 confirmed yellow fever infections and 18 deaths across nine African countries, including Nigeria, between 1 January and 12 October 2026, warning that cross-border movements, occupational exposure and gaps in vaccination coverage could sustain transmission across parts of the continent.

In its latest disease outbreak situation report, the global health agency identified the affected countries as Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo.

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Nigeria recorded four confirmed cases, including one death, placing the country among those affected by the continuing transmission of the mosquito-borne viral disease.

The figures indicate that Côte d’Ivoire recorded the highest burden among the nine countries, with 30 confirmed cases and 10 deaths. Burkina Faso followed with 15 cases and three deaths, while Cameroon reported nine cases and one death.

Ghana recorded four confirmed infections and three deaths, while Liberia reported one confirmed case without a recorded death among confirmed cases. The Central African Republic had two cases, while Guinea and Togo each reported one, with no deaths recorded in those three countries.

WHO noted that the latest outbreak activities were concentrated mainly in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Liberia, including communities located close to international borders.

The agency expressed concern that frequent movement between neighbouring countries could facilitate the spread of the virus, particularly where vaccination coverage remains uneven and mosquito populations capable of transmitting the disease are present.

It also identified occupational and environmental exposure as important risk factors, particularly among people working in forested areas, mining sites, agricultural communities and other outdoor environments.

According to WHO, these conditions increase the likelihood of human contact with infected mosquitoes, especially in communities where population immunity remains insufficient.

The agency further explained that yellow fever transmission could become more difficult to contain when infected areas share borders with communities experiencing frequent population movement.

Although the epidemiological links between the outbreaks have not been established, WHO warned that population mobility, environmental conditions and gaps in immunity could create opportunities for further geographical spread.

In its assessment of the situation, WHO classified the public health risk as moderate at the regional level on 27 October 2026, while maintaining that the global risk remained low.

The organisation stated that continued transmission and additional human infections in the African Region were likely, particularly in areas where vaccination coverage was inadequate.

It said affected governments, working with WHO and other international partners, were strengthening surveillance systems, investigating suspected infections, conducting laboratory tests and intensifying efforts to identify cases within affected communities.

Other measures include public awareness campaigns, community engagement and vaccination activities targeting populations in affected and high-risk locations.

WHO also emphasised the importance of cross-border coordination, particularly among countries sharing vulnerable communities and areas with frequent commercial and occupational movements.

Yellow fever is an acute viral disease transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Its symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting. Severe infections can lead to jaundice, internal bleeding, organ failure and death.

There is currently no specific antiviral treatment routinely recommended for yellow fever, making prevention particularly important. However, WHO identifies vaccination as the most effective protection against the disease, with a single dose providing lifelong immunity for most recipients.

The organisation’s wider yellow fever elimination strategy, known as the Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) Strategy, seeks to strengthen vaccination, surveillance and outbreak preparedness in countries at risk.

The latest figures reinforce the importance of sustained vaccination programmes, particularly in rural communities, forest-edge settlements and areas where cross-border movement increases exposure.

For Nigeria, the four confirmed infections and one recorded death underline the need to maintain vigilance, strengthen disease surveillance and ensure that vulnerable communities have access to preventive vaccination.

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The WHO assessment serves as a reminder that although the global risk remains low, yellow fever continues to pose a significant public health challenge in parts of Africa where immunity gaps and environmental exposure persist.