The Ministry of Health (MoH) has urged Ghanaians to remain calm but vigilant following the declaration of the recent Ebola outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization (World Health Organization).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, May 19, the Ministry said that although no Ebola cases have been recorded in Ghana or the wider West African sub-region, citizens must strictly observe preventive measures to reduce the risk of importation and transmission.
The advisory follows rising concern over the outbreak in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Uganda, where infections have been confirmed.
The Ministry explained that Ebola is a severe and often fatal disease transmitted through direct contact with the blood, body fluids, secretions, organs, or contaminated materials of infected persons.
It therefore urged the public to observe strict hygiene practices, including frequent handwashing with soap under running water and the use of alcohol-based sanitizers, particularly in public spaces, workplaces, schools, markets, and at major gatherings.
Event organisers were also advised to provide handwashing stations and sanitising facilities at venues to help reduce possible exposure risks.
The Ministry further encouraged individuals to carry personal hand sanitizers and maintain good hygiene practices at all times as a preventive measure.
Ghanaians were also cautioned against spreading rumours or misinformation, with the Ministry stressing the need to rely only on verified updates from official health and government sources.
It advised that anyone experiencing symptoms such as sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unexplained bleeding should immediately seek medical attention at the nearest health facility.
According to the statement, early detection and treatment significantly improve survival chances and help limit the spread of the virus.
The Ministry added that it is working closely with the Ghana Health Service (Ghana Health Service) and international partners to strengthen surveillance, screening, preparedness, and response systems across the country.
It reiterated that collective cooperation is essential in preventing the spread of Ebola and protecting public health nationwide.
