The Ministry of Health has announced new travel rules for passengers arriving in Ebola-affected countries.
The MoH announced a 21-day monitoring period for travellers arriving in Ghana from countries experiencing ongoing transmission of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.
The move forms part of enhanced measures to prevent the disease from entering and spreading in the country.
The MoH disclosed that under the arrangement, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) will contact the travellers for follow-up during the monitoring period.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 3, the Ministry of Health said the measure forms part of enhanced public health interventions being implemented at Ghana’s international airports to prevent the importation and spread of the disease.
Read the full statement below:
“The Ministry of Health, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has announced public health measures for all passengers arriving at Ghana’s international airports, in response to the ongoing outbreak of Ebola Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in some countries in Africa. The measures aim to minimise the risk of Ebola being brought into Ghana and spreading through international travel. To date, Ghana has not recorded a confirmed case of Ebola Disease. These measures are precautionary and will be reviewed as the situation evolves.
The measures are consistent with the commitments made at the recent Africa CDC ministerial meeting on Ebola, which brought together all 55 African member states, including more than 40 ministers. Member states agreed to implement the preparedness actions discussed, strengthen cross-border and border-point surveillance, and keep borders open while investing in measures to prevent transmission.
The measures include the following:
Before travel. Passengers must complete the Health Declaration Form and truthfully declare any travel to or transit through Ebola-affected countries in the previous 21 days. They must also disclose close contact with a suspected or confirmed Ebola patient, visits to a health facility managing Ebola cases, participation in funeral or burial rites for a suspected case and contact with blood, body fluids or contaminated materials from an ill person. Travellers with fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unexplained bleeding or bruising should postpone travel and seek medical attention immediately.
On arrival. Every passenger will be screened by Port Health officers. Screening includes non- contact temperature checks, a review of the Health Declaration Form, travel history and further questions on symptoms and exposure where needed.
Further assessment. Passengers with symptoms suggestive of Ebola, recent travel from or through affected countries, or possible exposure to a case will be referred for immediate secondary assessment. They will be taken to a designated area, temporarily isolated for evaluation, and referred to a health facility where necessary.
After arrival. Passengers arriving from countries with ongoing transmission will be monitored for up to 21 days. The Ghana Health Service will contact them for follow-up, and they must keep reachable contact details and report any symptoms immediately to the designated contact.
Hospitality sector. Hotels, conference venues and similar providers must report guests arriving from affected countries to the nearest district health directorate of the Ghana Health Service and keep records and contact details of all persons who access their facilities while such guests are hosted.
Passenger responsibilities. All arriving passengers must cooperate fully with Port Health officers, give truthful travel and health information, follow screening instructions, practise frequent hand hygiene, and report immediately if symptoms develop in flight or at the airport.
Any passenger who knowingly gives false information, conceals symptoms or refuses to comply with screening will be subject to public health measures under Ghanaian law,
The public is advised to rely on official information from the Ministry of Health and the GHS and to avoid spreading rumours. Anyone with a health concern can contact the nearest Port Health officer at the airport or the nearest health facility”.
Earlier, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Health Minister, had assured Ghanaians that Ghana has put measures in place to prevent and respond to any possible Ebola outbreak.
The Health Minister urged citizens not to panic over the possible Ebola outbreak.
According to the Health Minister, the measures put in place include thermal scanners, electronic health declaration forms, laboratory testing and isolation facilities to help detect and manage any suspected case.
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh highlighted that thermal scanners had been installed at the airport, while electronic health declaration forms had been reviewed to support the screening of incoming passengers and facilitate contact tracing.
Speaking during a visit to the Kotoka International Airport on Wednesday, October 28, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh stated, “We are praying we don’t record any case, but if we do, we are ready to do the needful. So we should not be afraid”.
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh further disclosed that the electronic declaration forms had been amended following further reviews, adding that the forms would help health authorities assess passengers and trace contacts more effectively if a suspected or confirmed case emerges.
He further disclosed that Ghana was strengthening its laboratory capacity to support the testing and diagnosis of suspected Ebola cases, citing facilities including the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR) and the national reference laboratory.
The Health Minister also pointed to the availability of an infectious disease treatment centre to support the isolation and management of patients.
See the statement below:
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