The Ministry of Health has intensified nationwide surveillance and preparedness measures following reports of confirmed and suspected Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases in parts of Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
In a statement issued on Monday, May 18, the Ministry noted that Ghana has not recorded any suspected or confirmed case of Ebola.
The Ministry said the development follows updates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), which have confirmed new cases in the affected countries.
According to the Ministry, it is working closely with international health partners to strengthen the country’s preparedness and response systems to prevent any possible importation of the disease.
As part of the measures being implemented, the Ministry said it has enhanced surveillance and screening at airports, seaports, and land borders, with increased monitoring of travellers arriving from affected countries.
It added that health workers are being trained and equipped to safely identify, isolate, and manage suspected cases, while public health emergency coordination and rapid response systems have been activated nationwide.
The Ministry has also intensified public education and risk communication efforts to raise awareness about the disease and preventive measures.
The Ministry has urged the public to remain calm and observe preventive measures such as regularly washing hands with soap and water, using alcohol-based sanitizers, avoiding contact with the bodily fluids of sick persons, and ensuring proper handling and thorough cooking of meat.
It further advised the public to avoid handling dead bodies without appropriate protection, refrain from consuming sick or dead wild animals, and report suspected cases immediately to the nearest health facility.
The Ministry also cautioned against the spread of misinformation, urging the public to rely solely on official updates from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service.
“The Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service remain committed to protecting the health and safety of all persons in Ghana and will continue to monitor the situation closely,” the statement said.
Ebola Virus Disease is a severe viral illness transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons or contaminated surfaces and materials. Symptoms include fever, weakness, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, and in severe cases, bleeding.
