The Ministry of Health has intensified surveillance and preparedness measures at Ghana’s points of entry following reports of Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya and Nigeria.
The ministry said Ghana had not recorded any Ebola cases but was strengthening its capacity to prevent the importation of the disease, detect suspected cases early and ensure prompt isolation and effective management.
In a press release signed by the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the ministry said the reported cases in Kenya and Nigeria had heightened the risk to Ghana because of frequent travel between the countries.
Kenyan authorities reported an imported case of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus from the DRC on October 6, 2026. By October 17, six additional cases linked to the initial case had been reported, including among healthcare workers.
On October 20, Nigerian authorities also confirmed an Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory.
The ministry noted that Kenya posed a significant risk because of direct flights between the country and Ghana, as well as higher passenger volumes compared with travel from the DRC. Frequent travel between Ghana and Nigeria had further increased the need to strengthen existing surveillance and screening measures, particularly at the airport.
Measures to prevent Ebola importation
The Ministry of Health, through the Ghana Health Service and its partners, has engaged relevant stakeholders, including the Ghana Airports Company Limited and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, to strengthen preparedness and coordination.
Other measures include enhanced surveillance at points of entry, strengthened airport screening and simulation exercises at the Accra International Airport and the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre to assess the country’s readiness to respond to suspected cases.
The ministry is also monitoring travellers arriving from high-risk areas throughout their stay in Ghana, in line with public health protocols.
Laboratory preparedness is being strengthened through updates to standard operating procedures, while healthcare workers are receiving sensitisation to improve their awareness and ability to manage suspected cases appropriately.
Public education and risk communication activities are also being conducted at the airport to provide travellers with information on Ebola prevention and the steps to take if symptoms develop.
Ebola symptoms and public health advice
According to the ministry, symptoms of Ebola virus disease typically appear between two and 21 days after exposure, with an average incubation period of eight to 10 days.
Early symptoms include high fever, severe headache, extreme fatigue, sore throat and chills. Unexplained bleeding and confusion may develop later.
The ministry explained that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person or contaminated materials, stressing that the disease is not airborne.
It has urged anyone who develops symptoms after travelling to an affected area or coming into contact with a suspected or confirmed case to seek immediate medical attention and disclose their travel history to healthcare workers.
Travellers arriving from affected areas will have their health monitored for 21 days, in line with public health protocols.
The public has also been advised to practise good hand hygiene and avoid contact with people experiencing unexplained fever, vomiting, diarrhoea or bleeding.
The ministry further urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information and rely on official communications from health authorities for updates on the outbreak.
It assured the public that it was working with relevant agencies and partners to protect public health and strengthen the country’s preparedness and response capacity.
Ghanaians have been encouraged to remain calm, stay informed through official channels and cooperate with public health authorities.
