Ghana strengthens border surveillance amid Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak

Ghana has stepped up public health surveillance at its international airports, introducing enhanced screening and monitoring measures for travellers arriving from countries affected by an outbreak of Ebola Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus.

The measures, announced by the Ministry of Health through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), are aimed at preventing the possible importation and spread of the disease through international travel.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and signed by the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, MP, the Ministry said Ghana had not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola Disease but was taking precautionary steps to strengthen its preparedness.

"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 statement said.

The Ministry explained that the interventions were intended to "minimise the risk of Ebola being brought into Ghana and spreading through international travel".

A key component of the new arrangements is the monitoring of passengers arriving from countries with ongoing transmission for up to 21 days after their arrival in Ghana.

"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," the statement said.

The monitoring arrangement is expected to support the early identification of possible infections and ensure that travellers who develop symptoms receive prompt medical attention.

Under the new arrangements, passengers travelling to Ghana will be required to complete a Health Declaration Form and truthfully disclose whether they have visited or transited through any Ebola-affected country within the previous 21 days.

They must also declare any close contact with a suspected or confirmed Ebola patient, visits to a health facility managing Ebola cases, participation in funeral or burial rites involving a suspected case, and contact with the blood, body fluids or contaminated materials of an ill person.

The Ministry has advised travellers experiencing symptoms associated with Ebola, including fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unexplained bleeding or bruising, to postpone their journeys and seek immediate medical attention.

It specifically advised that travellers with such symptoms "should postpone travel and seek medical attention immediately".

Upon arrival in Ghana, every passenger will undergo screening by Port Health officers.

The process will include non-contact temperature checks, a review of completed Health Declaration Forms and travel histories, as well as additional questions about symptoms and possible exposure where necessary.

Passengers identified as having symptoms suggestive of Ebola, recent travel from or through affected countries, or possible exposure to an infected person will be referred for immediate secondary assessment.

According to the Ministry, such individuals will be taken to a designated area for temporary isolation and evaluation before being referred to a health facility where necessary.

The Ministry has also extended the public health measures to the hospitality sector, directing hotels, conference venues and similar establishments to report guests arriving from Ebola-affected countries to the nearest district health directorate of the Ghana Health Service.

The statement said: "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."

The requirement is expected to strengthen surveillance beyond the airports and assist health authorities in identifying individuals who may have come into contact with travellers under monitoring.

The Ministry has urged all arriving passengers to cooperate fully with Port Health officers, provide truthful information about their travel history and health status, and comply with screening instructions.

It also urged passengers to "practise frequent hand hygiene" and immediately report any symptoms that develop during their flight or at the airport.

The Ministry warned that "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 Ministry said Ghana's interventions were consistent with commitments made at a recent Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) ministerial meeting on Ebola.

The meeting brought together all 55 African member states, including more than 40 ministers, to discuss preparedness and measures to prevent the spread of the disease across the continent.

According to the statement, 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 commitments highlight the importance of regional cooperation in responding to public health threats while maintaining international travel and movement.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has urged the public to rely on official information from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service and avoid spreading rumours about the outbreak.

"The public is advised to rely on official information from the Ministry of Health and the GHS and to avoid spreading rumours," the statement said.

Anyone with health concerns has been advised to contact the nearest Port Health officer at the airport or visit the nearest health facility.

The Ministry reiterated that Ghana had not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola Disease, stressing that the measures were precautionary and intended to strengthen the country's capacity to detect and respond to any potential case.