Ghana introduces 21-day Ebola monitoring for travellers from affected countries

Travellers arriving in Ghana from countries experiencing ongoing Ebola transmission will be monitored for up to 21 days under new public health measures introduced by the Ministry of Health.

The monitoring requirement forms part of enhanced screening arrangements being implemented at all international airports to minimize the risk of Ebola entering Ghana amid an outbreak of the disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in some African countries.

“The measures aim to minimize the risk of Ebola being brought into Ghana and spreading through international travel,” the Ministry said in a statement issued on November 3, 2026.

Under the measures, passengers arriving from affected countries will be contacted by the Ghana Health Service for follow-up during the 21-day period.

“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 Ministry stated.

The statement, signed by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, also requires all arriving passengers to undergo screening by Port Health officers.

“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,” the Ministry said.

The screening will involve non-contact temperature checks, examination of completed Health Declaration Forms, reviews of travel histories and further questions about symptoms and possible exposure.

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,” the statement added.

The new measures extend beyond airports to hotels, conference venues and other hospitality providers.

The Ministry has directed such establishments to report guests arriving from affected countries to the nearest district health directorate of the Ghana Health Service.

They must also maintain records and contact details of all persons who access their facilities while the affected guests are being hosted.

The directive forms part of efforts to strengthen monitoring of people who may have travelled from areas experiencing Ebola transmission.

Passengers are also required to provide truthful information about their travel history, possible contact with suspected or confirmed Ebola patients, visits to health facilities managing Ebola cases and participation in funeral or burial rites involving suspected cases.

The Ministry warned that anyone who knowingly provides false information, conceals symptoms or refuses to comply with screening will be subject to public health measures under Ghanaian law.

The Ministry said Ghana had not recorded a confirmed Ebola case and described the airport screening and monitoring arrangements as precautionary.

It said the measures would be reviewed as the outbreak situation evolves, noting that the country was strengthening its preparedness in response to developments in affected countries.

The measures follow commitments made at a recent Africa CDC ministerial meeting on Ebola, which brought together all 55 African member states, including more than 40 ministers.

According to the Ministry, member states agreed to strengthen preparedness and cross-border surveillance while keeping borders open and investing in measures to prevent transmission.

The public has been urged to rely on official information from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service as the situation evolves.