Accra, Oct. 21, GNA – The Ministry of Health has intensified surveillance and screening at the country’s points of entry following reports of Ebola cases in Kenya and Nigeria to prevent the importation and spread of the disease.
The measures include enhanced airport screening, simulation exercises, strengthened laboratory preparedness and monitoring of travellers arriving from affected areas.
A statement signed by Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, said Ghana had not recorded any Ebola case but was strengthening preparedness to ensure early detection, prompt isolation and effective management of suspected cases.
The development follows an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with subsequent cases reported in Kenya and Nigeria.
The statement said Kenyan authorities reported an imported case of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus from the DRC on October 6, 2026.
As of October 17, six additional cases had been reported in Kenya, all linked to the initial case, including infections among healthcare workers.
“On October 20, Nigerian authorities also reported a confirmed Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory,” the statement said.
The Ministry said the situation in Kenya posed a significant risk to Ghana because of direct flights between the two countries and higher passenger volumes compared with the DRC.
Frequent travel between Ghana and Nigeria had also heightened the need to strengthen surveillance and screening, particularly at the airports, the statement said.
The Ministry, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and its partners, had engaged the Ghana Airports Company Limited, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and other stakeholders to improve coordination and preparedness.
Simulation exercises had also been conducted at the Accra International Airport and the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre to assess and improve readiness to respond to suspected cases.
Other measures include monitoring travellers from high-risk areas for 21 days, updating laboratory standard operating procedures, sensitising healthcare workers and intensifying public education and risk communication at the airport.
The statement said Ebola symptoms typically developed between two and 21 days after exposure, with an average incubation period of eight to 10 days.
Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, extreme fatigue, sore throat and chills, which may be followed by unexplained bleeding and confusion.
The Ministry urged anyone who developed symptoms after travelling to an affected area or coming into contact with a suspected or confirmed case to seek prompt medical care and disclose their travel history to health workers.
It also advised the public to practise good hand hygiene and avoid contact with people experiencing unexplained fever, vomiting, diarrhoea or bleeding.
The World Health Organization says Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person or contaminated materials and is not airborne.
The Ministry urged the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and rely on official communication channels for updates.
It said it was working with relevant agencies and partners to implement measures to protect public health and strengthen the country’s preparedness and response capacity.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe