Ebola: Travellers from affected countries to face 21-day monitoring – MoH

The Ministry of Health has introduced a 21-day monitoring period for travellers arriving in Ghana from countries experiencing ongoing transmission of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, as part of strengthened measures to prevent the disease from entering and spreading in the country.

Under the arrangement, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) will maintain contact with affected travellers throughout the monitoring period. They are required to provide reachable contact details, remain available for follow-up and immediately report any symptoms that may develop.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, the Ministry said the intervention forms part of enhanced public health measures being implemented at Ghana’s international airports to prevent the importation and spread of the virus.

“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,” the statement said.

The Ministry said all passengers arriving in Ghana would undergo screening by Port Health officers, including temperature checks and assessments of their health declaration forms and travel histories.

Travellers are required to disclose whether they have visited or transited through Ebola-affected countries within the preceding 21 days. They must also provide information about any contact with suspected or confirmed Ebola cases.

Passengers who exhibit symptoms associated with the disease, including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, severe weakness or unexplained bleeding, will be referred for further medical assessment.

Where necessary, affected travellers may be placed in temporary isolation and provided with appropriate medical attention.

The Ministry warned that passengers who provide false information, conceal symptoms or refuse to cooperate with screening procedures could face public health measures under Ghanaian law.

As part of the preventive measures, the Ministry has directed hotels, conference venues and similar establishments to report guests arriving from affected countries to the nearest district health directorate.

The establishments are also expected to maintain contact details for such guests to support public health monitoring and follow-up.

The Ministry emphasised that Ghana has not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola and described the measures as precautionary steps to protect public health.

It urged the public to rely on official updates from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, while avoiding the circulation of unverified information about the outbreak.

The enhanced surveillance measures come amid reports of an Ebola outbreak affecting parts of Africa, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) identified as the country most severely affected.

According to figures attributed to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the outbreak has reportedly resulted in more than 5,300 deaths, with over 10,400 confirmed cases since it was declared in May. The reported mortality rate exceeds 50 per cent.

The source also reports confirmed cases beyond the DRC, including in Uganda and Kenya, where the first-ever Ebola infections were recorded in October.

The developments have heightened concerns about cross-border transmission and the need for countries in the region to strengthen surveillance, screening and emergency response systems.

Ghana’s 21-day monitoring arrangement is intended to help health authorities identify possible infections among incoming travellers and respond promptly to any suspected cases