Ghana Steps Up Ebola Preparedness as Cases Rise in Central and East Africa

Ghana has recorded no suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), even as new infections are reported in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has stated.

In an official release shared with the Ghana News Agency, the Ministry referenced updates from the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, which confirmed both suspected and verified Ebola cases in the affected countries.

According to the statement, Ghana is proactively reinforcing its national readiness. Working alongside global health partners, authorities have activated a series of precautionary measures aimed at strengthening detection, response, and containment systems.

These interventions include tighter surveillance and screening procedures at all major entry points—airports, seaports, and land borders. Monitoring of travellers arriving from high-risk regions has also been intensified.

Health personnel across the country are undergoing additional training to ensure they can quickly identify, isolate, and manage suspected cases. At the same time, emergency coordination structures and rapid response teams have been placed on high alert.

Public awareness efforts have also been expanded. The Ministry says it is scaling up education campaigns, risk communication, and community engagement to ensure citizens stay informed about the virus and how to prevent it.

Ebola Virus Disease is described as a highly dangerous infection transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces and materials. Early symptoms often include fever, fatigue, headaches, vomiting, and diarrhoea, with severe cases potentially leading to internal or external bleeding.

The public is being encouraged to remain calm but vigilant. Preventive steps include frequent handwashing with soap under running water or using alcohol-based hand sanitisers.

Authorities also advise avoiding contact with bodily fluids of unwell individuals, refraining from handling human remains without proper protection, and steering clear of sick or dead wildlife.

In addition, the Ministry recommends proper handling and thorough cooking of all meat before consumption, and urges anyone experiencing symptoms to report immediately to the nearest health facility.

The statement further warned against the spread of false information, urging citizens to depend solely on updates from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service.

Reaffirming its commitment, the Ministry assured the public that it will continue to closely track developments and take all necessary steps to safeguard public health nationwide.