Health Minister assures Ghana has recorded no Ebola cases despite WHO emergency declaration

Kwabena Mintah Akandoh assured Ghanaians on Thursday, May 21 that "no Ebola cases have been recorded in the country despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring the disease a Public Health Emergency of International Concern."

Mr. Akandoh stated that the Health Ministry had issued two public notices on Ebola within the past week. He explained that Ebola is a viral disease spread through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, secretions and contaminated surfaces or materials. Symptoms of the disease include sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding. Mr. Akandoh advised that "People experiencing symptoms such as sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unexplained bleeding should immediately report to the nearest health facility." He also said, "It is important to note that no cases have been recorded in West Africa, including our dear country, Ghana."

Mr. Akandoh urged the public not to panic but to remain vigilant and to observe preventive measures to reduce the risk of transmission, saying, "Prevention is always better than cure." He encouraged frequent handwashing with soap under running water and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitiser. He also called on organisers of public events and mass gatherings to provide hand-washing facilities and sanitisers for participants. Mr. Akandoh assured citizens that the government was taking all necessary steps to protect the country from any possible outbreak and that "presently the risk is low in Ghana."