Editor's Review

Ghana has stepped up surveillance and airport screening following reports of Ebola cases in Kenya, DRC, and Nigeria. 

Ghana has stepped up surveillance and airport screening following reports of Ebola cases in Kenya, DRC and Nigeria. 

In a statement on Wednesday, October 21, Ghana’s Ministry of Health said the measures are aimed at enhancing the country’s preparedness to prevent the importation of the virus and effective management of suspected cases.

“Although Ghana has not reported any Ebola case, the Ministry of Health, through the Ghana Health Service and other agencies and partners, is strengthening national preparedness to prevent importation and ensure early detection, prompt isolation, and effective management of any suspected case,” read the statement in part. 

The ministry noted that the situation in Kenya poses a significant risk to Ghana because of direct flights between the two countries and higher passenger volumes compared with the DRC.

According to the ministry, the risk has been compounded by a confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria because of the frequent travel between the two nations.

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File image of President William Ruto with his Ghanaian counterpart John Mahama. 
 “The situation in Kenya poses a significant risk to Ghana due to direct flights between the two countries and higher passenger volumes than in the DRC,” the ministry said.  

The ministry said the cases in Kenya and Nigeria have necessitated the Ghanaian authorities to strengthen existing surveillance measures. 

The measures include enhanced screening at airports, simulation exercises at Accra International Airport and the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre, and engagement with aviation authorities and other relevant stakeholders.

The ministry also said travelers from affected areas will be monitored throughout their stay in Ghana in line with public health protocols.

Kenya has 9 confirmed Ebola cases including the first patient who died from the disease.

In a statement on Tuesday, October 20, the Ministry said the latest case involves a 24-year-old man who is a close family member of the index case. 

It said the patient was already in quarantine when he developed symptoms and was immediately isolated, tested and placed on treatment following confirmation of the infection.

"The new case is a known contact of the index case and was already in quarantine when he fell ill. All nine cases belong to one cluster, and as today there is no evidence of transmission outside this group," the statement read.

The Ministry of Health confirmed that the ninth case was identified on October 19, 2026, and that the patient received prompt medical attention after developing symptoms.

On Tuesday, Nigeria confirmed its first case of Ebola after a woman who recently travelled to the country from Uganda tested positive for the virus.

"The Federal Government of Nigeria confirms one case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following laboratory confirmation today, 20 October 2026," the ministry said.

The ministry said the patient, who arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, was currently in isolation and receiving medical care as health authorities moved to contain the infection and prevent further transmission.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said it was coordinating the response with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities.