The Ministry of Health, with its relevant agencies and partners, has announced enhanced surveillance and response measures following neigbouring Nigeria's confirmation of an Ebola case after earlier outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya.
In a statement issued on October 22 and signed by Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Ministry said that on October 6, Kenyan authorities reported an imported case of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus from the DRC.
As of October 17, authorities reported six additional cases, all linked to the initial case, including healthcare workers. On October 20, Nigerian authorities also reported a confirmed case of Ebola in the Federal Capital Territory.
Although Ghana has not reported any Ebola case, the Ministry said the situation in Kenya poses a significant risk to Ghana due to direct flights between the two countries. The confirmed case in Nigeria has compounded this risk because of frequent travel between the two countries. This has necessitated strengthening existing surveillance and screening measures, especially at the airport.
Since the outbreak began in the DRC, the Ministry, through the Ghana Health Service, has implemented measures including engagement with relevant stakeholders such as the Ghana Airports Company Limited and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, enhanced surveillance at points of entry including strengthened airport screening, and simulation exercises at the Accra International Airport and the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre.
Other measures include follow-up with travellers from high-risk areas throughout their stay in Ghana, strengthening laboratory preparedness, sensitising healthcare workers, and public education and risk communication at the airport.
The Ministry noted that Ebola symptoms typically start 2 to 21 days after exposure and include high-grade fever, severe headache, extreme fatigue, sore throat, chills, and later unexplained bleeding and confusion. It emphasised that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person and is not airborne.
The Ministry advised anyone who falls ill with symptoms after travelling to an affected area to seek prompt medical care and disclose their travel history to health workers. Travellers from affected areas will have their health monitored for 21 days.
It urged the public to practise good hand hygiene, avoid contact with anyone showing unexplained fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, or bleeding, and to follow official updates from health authorities.
The Ministry reassured the public that it is implementing the necessary measures to protect public health and encouraged the public to remain calm and cooperate with public health authorities as Ghana continues to strengthen its preparedness and response measures.
