Ghana Strengthens Border Screening After Ebola Outbreaks in Uganda and DRC

Ghana is on high alert following confirmed outbreaks of Ebola in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Health authorities have activated precautionary measures nationwide to strengthen preparedness and response systems.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, enhanced surveillance and screening are underway at Ghana's ports and borders. Monitoring of travellers arriving from affected countries has also increased.

"We are training and equipping health workers to identify, isolate and manage suspected cases safely. We have also activated public health emergency coordination and rapid response systems, and intensified public education, risk communication and community awareness activities on the disease," the statement said.

The minister advised the public to wash hands regularly with soap under running water or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers. People were urged to avoid direct contact with bodily fluids of sick persons and to refrain from handling dead bodies without appropriate protection.

The public was also advised to avoid handling or eating sick or dead wild animals and to ensure all meat is properly handled and thoroughly cooked. Suspected symptoms should be reported immediately to the nearest health facility.

The World Health Organisation has declared the Ebola outbreaks caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain in the DRC and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. As of May 15, a total of 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths, including four among confirmed cases, had been reported.

Sixty-five contacts have been identified, with 15 classified as high-risk. Most suspected cases are between 20 and 39 years old, with females accounting for more than 60 per cent. Ghana has not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola to date.