Ghana Health Service issues Ebola alert

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has issued an Ebola alert after the Democratic Republic of Congo reported an Ebola outbreak in the north-east.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as at 14 May 2017, 19 cases had been confirmed with three deaths.

To this end, the GHS has issued a directive to all regional health directors in the country to be on the alert and has requested they institute certain measures in their respective regions as part of preparedness.

The measures are to:

• strengthen surveillance for early detection and response

• update preparedness and response plans in districts and regions

• sensitise staff to adhere to infection prevention and control measures at the facilities

• ensure availability of holding place at the regions and PPEs

• conduct targeted public education and without causing fear and panic

The MoH DRC and the WHO have indicated doing everything possible to contain the outbreak within the shortest possible time but “notwithstanding we need to be on the alert as a country and enhance our preparedness”, a statement signed by the Director General, Ghana Health Service, Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, said.