Ghana introduces Ebola screening at all international airports
Ghana has introduced enhanced health screening and monitoring measures at all international airports to prevent the importation and possible spread of Ebola Disease amid an ongoing outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus in parts of Africa.
The measures, announced in a press statement on Tuesday by the Ministry of Health through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), require all arriving passengers to undergo health screening, declare relevant travel history, and provide information about possible exposure to the disease.
Although Ghana has not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola, the GHS says the measures are precautionary and will be reviewed as the outbreak situation develops.
Under the new arrangements, passengers must complete a Health Declaration Form before travelling and truthfully disclose whether they have visited or transited through Ebola-affected countries within the previous 21 days.
Travelers are also required to report any close contact with suspected or confirmed Ebola patients, visits to health facilities managing Ebola cases, participation in funeral or burial rites involving suspected cases, and contact with the blood, body fluids or contaminated materials of an infected person.
Passengers experiencing symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained bleeding or bruising have been advised to postpone their journeys and seek immediate medical attention.
At the airports, Port Health officers will conduct non-contact temperature checks, review passengers’ health declaration forms and travel histories, and ask additional questions about possible symptoms or exposure where necessary.
Passengers who show symptoms suggestive of Ebola, have recently travelled from or through affected countries, or may have been exposed to an infected person will undergo further assessment.
Such passengers will be taken to designated areas for temporary isolation and evaluation before being referred to a health facility where necessary.
The GHS will also monitor travelers arriving from countries with ongoing transmission for up to 21 days after their arrival. The affected passengers will be contacted for follow-up and are expected to remain reachable and promptly report any symptoms that develop during the monitoring period.
The measures extend beyond airports to the hospitality industry, with hotels, conference venues and similar establishments required to report guests arriving from affected countries to the nearest district health directorate.
They are also expected to maintain records and contact details of persons who access their facilities while such guests are being hosted.
The Ministry has urged all arriving passengers to cooperate with Port Health officers, provide accurate health and travel information, observe screening instructions and practise regular hand hygiene.
Passengers who develop symptoms while in flight or at the airport must report immediately to the appropriate health authorities.
It warned that anyone who knowingly provides false information, conceals symptoms or refuses to comply with screening requirements will be subject to public health measures under Ghanaian law.
The Ministry said the interventions were in line with commitments made at a recent Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) ministerial meeting on Ebola, attended by representatives of all 55 African member states, including more than 40 ministers.
At the meeting, member states agreed to strengthen preparedness, improve surveillance at borders and cross-border points, and keep borders open while investing in measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
The public has been urged to rely on official updates from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service and avoid spreading unverified information.
Anyone with health concerns has been advised to contact a Port Health officer at the airport or visit the nearest health facility.
Grace Acheampong, ISD
