Ghanaian authorities late Wednesday announced enhanced Ebola surveillance and response measures amid confirmed cases in Nigeria and Kenya.
The Ministry of Health said in a statement that the situation in Kenya and Nigeria poses a serious, compounded risk to Ghana due to high volumes of frequent travel between Ghana and the two countries.
“Although Ghana has not reported any Ebola case, the Ministry of Health, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and other agencies and partners, is strengthening national preparedness to prevent importation and ensure early detection, prompt isolation, and effective management of any suspected case,” the statement said.
The statement said the Ministry of Health, through the GHS, is implementing public measures to strengthen the country’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to any potential Ebola case.
Some of the measures include engagement with relevant stakeholders, including the Ghana Airports Company Limited, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, and other key partners, to strengthen preparedness and coordination.
The authorities have also strengthened surveillance at points of entry, including enhanced airport screening measures, and conducted simulation exercises at the Accra International Airport and the Ghana Infectious Disease Center to assess and improve readiness to respond to suspected cases, said the statement.
Moreover, the statement said the enhanced measures also include follow-ups on travelers from high-risk regions throughout their stay in Ghana, strengthening laboratory preparedness for early detection, sensitizing health workers to enhance awareness and preparedness, and risk communication at the airport to provide travelers with relevant information on Ebola prevention and the actions to take if symptoms develop. Enditem
Source: Xinhua
