The Ministry of Health has introduced Ebola monitoring in Ghana for travellers arriving from countries experiencing ongoing transmission of the Bundibugyo virus, with affected passengers to be followed for up to 21 days.
The precautionary measures, announced on Tuesday, November 3, will be implemented by the Ghana Health Service at the country’s international airports. Ghana has not recorded a confirmed case of the disease.
“Passengers arriving from countries with ongoing transmission will be monitored for up to 21 days.
“The Ghana Health Service will contact them for follow-up, and they must keep reachable contact details and report any symptoms immediately to the designated contact.” - Ministry of Health
Airport Screening Tightened
All arriving passengers will undergo screening by Port Health officers, including temperature checks and reviews of health declaration forms and recent travel history.
Travellers must declare whether they have visited or passed through an Ebola affected country within the previous 21 days. They are also expected to disclose possible contact with suspected or confirmed cases.
Passengers showing symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, severe weakness or unexplained bleeding will undergo further assessment. Where necessary, they may be temporarily isolated and referred to a health facility.
The Ghana Health Service has already strengthened preparedness at Accra International Airport, including repairs to thermal scanners and enhanced travel history screening.
The Ministry warned that travellers who deliberately conceal symptoms, provide false information or refuse to cooperate with screening could face measures under Ghana’s public health laws.
Hotels Asked to Report Travellers
Hotels, conference centres and similar facilities have also been instructed to notify their nearest district health directorate when hosting guests arriving from affected countries and to maintain reliable contact details.
The Ministry stressed that the measures are preventive and will be reviewed as the outbreak develops.
The Bundibugyo outbreak remains concentrated largely in the Democratic Republic of Congo. World Health Organization data showed 9,704 confirmed cases and 4,687 deaths as of October 20, with imported cases also recorded in Kenya and Nigeria.
Kenya reported its first laboratory confirmed imported case in early October and subsequently identified additional linked cases. Uganda had earlier brought its outbreak to an end after completing the required 42 day period without a new confirmed case.
WHO has advised countries to strengthen surveillance and preparedness while avoiding unnecessary restrictions on travel and trade.
The Ministry has urged Ghanaians to rely on information from the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service and avoid circulating unverified claims about the outbreak.
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