GHANA HEIGHTENS AIRPORT EBOLA SURVEILLANCE OVER RISKS FROM KENYA AND NIGERIA

The Ministry of Health of Ghana has announced a major enhancement of health screening and surveillance protocols across point-of-entry facilities, including Kotoka International Airport in Accra, following confirmed Ebola cases in Kenya and Nigeria.

The precautionary measures aim to mitigate the threat of cross-border transmission driven by frequent regional flights and high passenger traffic between West and East Africa.

REGIONAL OUTBREAK CONCERNS AND ENFORCED PROTOCOLS

Health authorities noted that the decision follows a series of confirmed infections across the continent, including an imported case of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus strain detected in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory on October 20, as well as an ongoing outbreak cluster in Kenya.

• Intensified Airport Screening: Thermal scanners, mandatory health declaration forms, and secondary health checks have been deployed at points of entry, targeting travelers arriving from affected regions.

• 21-Day Passenger Monitoring: In collaboration with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and Ghana Airports Company Limited, health officials are implementing a 21-day health tracking protocol for high-risk inbound passengers.

• Public Health Advisory: The Ministry of Health advised citizens and travelers to report any early symptoms—such as sudden fever, extreme fatigue, or unexplained bleeding—to medical personnel immediately and disclose recent travel histories.

Ghanaian public health emergency response teams have been placed on high alert to facilitate prompt isolation and clinical management should any suspected cases be detected.