The Ghanaian government has announced that travellers arriving in the country from nations experiencing Ebola transmission will be placed under health monitoring for up to 21 days. This move is part of the government's efforts to prevent the disease from entering and spreading within the country. The Ministry of Health, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has implemented enhanced public health interventions at the country's international airports.
All arriving passengers will undergo health screening and provide information about their recent travel history and possible exposure to the virus. The screening will involve non-contact temperature checks, reviews of completed Health Declaration Forms, and assessments of passengers' travel histories. Port Health officers may also ask additional questions about symptoms and possible exposure to the virus where necessary.
Passengers who exhibit symptoms suggestive of Ebola, have recently travelled from or through affected countries, or may have been exposed to a suspected or confirmed case will be referred for immediate secondary assessment. Such passengers will be taken to designated areas for temporary isolation and evaluation before being referred to a health facility where necessary.
The Ministry has directed all passengers to complete a Health Declaration Form before travelling to Ghana and truthfully disclose any visits to or transit through Ebola-affected countries within the preceding 21 days. They must also declare 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, bodily fluids, or contaminated materials of an ill person.
Hotels and conference centres are required to report guests arriving from affected countries to the nearest district health directorate of the Ghana Health Service. They are also required to maintain records and contact details of all individuals who access their facilities while such guests are being hosted. This requirement aims to strengthen public health surveillance and assist health authorities in identifying and following up on individuals who may have come into contact with travellers considered to be at risk.
The Ministry has urged all arriving passengers to cooperate fully with Port Health officers, provide truthful health and travel information, comply with screening instructions, and practise frequent hand hygiene. Passengers are also expected to report immediately if they develop symptoms during their journey or while at the airport. Anyone who deliberately provides false information, conceals symptoms, or refuses to comply with screening requirements will be subject to public health measures under Ghanaian law.
Ghana's interventions are consistent with commitments made at a recent ministerial meeting of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on the Ebola outbreak. The Ministry has urged the public to rely on official information from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service for updates on the outbreak and the country's response.
Key points
- Travellers from Ebola-affected countries will be monitored for up to 21 days.
- All passengers arriving in Ghana will undergo health screening at international airports.
- Hotels and conference centres must report guests arriving from affected countries to the Ghana Health Service.
