The Ministry of Health, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has introduced enhanced Ebola screening and monitoring measures for passengers arriving at all international airports in Ghana following an outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease in some African countries.
The precautionary measures require travellers to declare relevant travel histories and possible exposure, undergo arrival screening and, where necessary, receive further assessment and monitoring for up to 21 days.
Although Ghana has not recorded a confirmed Ebola case, authorities are strengthening surveillance to reduce the risk of the disease entering the country and spreading through international travel.
“The measures are intended to strengthen surveillance at Ghana’s points of entry and minimise the risk of Ebola being imported into the country through international travel.”
Ministry of Health
The Ministry explained that the measures are preventive and will be reviewed as the outbreak situation evolves. They also reflect commitments made at a recent Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) ministerial meeting on Ebola, attended by all 55 African member states, including more than 40 ministers.
At the meeting, member states agreed to implement preparedness actions, strengthen surveillance across borders and at entry points, and keep borders open while investing in measures to prevent transmission.
The Ghana Health Service will therefore work with Port Health officers to screen passengers and identify individuals who may require additional assessment. The approach seeks to balance public health protection with the continued movement of travellers across international borders.
Travellers Must Declare Ebola Exposure Before Departure
Under the new arrangements, passengers must complete a Health Declaration Form before travelling and truthfully disclose whether they have visited or transited through countries affected by Ebola within the previous 21 days.
They must also declare close contact with a suspected or confirmed Ebola patient, visits to health facilities managing Ebola cases, participation in funeral or burial rites involving a suspected case, and contact with blood, body fluids or contaminated materials from an ill person.
The Ministry urged travellers experiencing symptoms associated with Ebola to postpone their journeys and seek medical attention immediately.
These symptoms include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding or bruising.
The declaration process is intended to help health authorities identify potential exposure before passengers enter the country and determine whether further precautions are necessary.
Port Health Officers to Screen Every Arriving Passenger
Every passenger arriving at Ghana’s international airports will undergo screening by Port Health officers.
The process will include non-contact temperature checks, examination of completed Health Declaration Forms and a review of travel histories.
Officers may also ask additional questions about symptoms and possible exposure where necessary. Passengers whose responses or screening results raise concerns will be referred for immediate secondary assessment.
Those presenting symptoms suggestive of Ebola, reporting recent travel from or through affected countries, or indicating possible exposure to an infected person will be taken to a designated area for temporary isolation and evaluation.
Where necessary, the individual will be referred to a health facility for further medical assessment and management.
“The approach seeks to balance public health protection with the continued movement of travellers across international borders.”
Ghana Introduces 21-Day Monitoring For Exposed Travellers
The monitoring requirements will extend beyond the airport for passengers arriving from countries with ongoing Ebola transmission.
The Ghana Health Service will follow up with these travellers for up to 21 days after arrival. Passengers must therefore provide contact details through which health officials can reach them and remain available for follow-up.
They are also required to report any symptoms immediately to the designated contact.
The monitoring period is intended to help authorities identify possible illness after arrival and respond promptly if a traveller develops symptoms.
Hotels And Conference Venues Face Reporting Obligations
The Ministry has also directed hotels, conference venues and similar hospitality providers to report guests arriving from Ebola-affected countries to the nearest district health directorate of the Ghana Health Service.
Such establishments must maintain records and contact details of all persons who access their facilities while the affected-country guests are being hosted.
The requirement extends surveillance into hospitality settings, where health authorities may need to trace contacts or follow up on individuals who have interacted with arriving travellers.
Passengers Warned Against Withholding Health Information
All arriving passengers are expected to cooperate fully with Port Health officers, provide accurate travel and health information, and comply with screening instructions.
The Ministry has further urged travellers to practise frequent hand hygiene and report immediately if symptoms develop during a flight or at the airport.
It warned that passengers who knowingly provide false information, conceal symptoms or refuse to comply with screening requirements will be subject to public health measures under Ghanaian law.
The public has also been advised to rely on official information from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service and avoid spreading rumours about the outbreak.
“The Ministry will continue to review these preventive measures as the outbreak situation evolves to ensure Ghana remains prepared to respond to any potential threat.”
Ministry of health
Anyone with health concerns may contact the nearest Port Health officer at an airport or visit the nearest health facility.
Although Ghana has not confirmed an Ebola case, the measures place airport screening, traveller monitoring and cooperation with health authorities at the centre of the country’s precautionary response to the regional outbreak.
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