Ghana has intensified surveillance at its borders and other points of entry following confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease in Kenya and Nigeria.
The Ministry of Health said the move is a precautionary measure to prevent importation of the virus, ensure early detection and guarantee prompt management of any suspected case.
In a statement signed by the Minister of Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the ministry disclosed that Ghana has not recorded any Ebola case, but has activated enhanced preparedness measures across the country.
The ministry said the risk to Ghana had increased due to frequent travel and direct flight connections with the affected countries.
Kenyan health authorities had on October 6, reported an imported case of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo strain from the Democratic Republic of Congo. As of October 17, six additional infections linked to the index case, including among health workers, were confirmed in Kenya.
In Nigeria, authorities on October 20 confirmed a case of Ebola in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The Ghanaian health ministry noted that the situation in Kenya poses a particular risk to Ghana because of the high volume of passenger traffic between the two countries, compared to the DRC. Frequent travel between Ghana and Nigeria has also made it imperative to strengthen screening, especially at the airports.
To contain any potential importation, the ministry, through the Ghana Health Service and its partners, has engaged the Ghana Airports Company Limited, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant stakeholders to improve coordination and preparedness.
According to the statement, measures being implemented include enhanced surveillance at all points of entry, strengthened screening at airports, simulation exercises at the Kotoka International Airport and the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre, as well as improved laboratory preparedness and monitoring of travellers arriving from affected areas.
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