Ghana is reinforcing its medical and logistic teams following the outbreak of Ebola and Marburg viruses in neighbouring countries, officials say.
Ivory Coast, Ghana’s nextdoor neighbour, registered a case of Ebola outbreak on Saturday, August 14.
On Monday, August 9, Guinea confirmed death of a patient who died after contracting Marburg virus, thereby becoming the first West African country to record the disease.
The Ghana Health Service, has however allayed the fears of the public.
Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye said a team has been deployed to all regional and district health directorates across the country to include Marburg and Ebola in the preparedness and response activities.
“Generally, Ghana’s epidemic preparedness and response system has been in action since the onset of Covid-19 and are the same structures for response to any cases of Ebola or Marburg.
“Ghana has the capacity to diagnose both disease conditions,” he told the media.
Dr Kuma-Aboagye noted that although land borders remain closed, surveillance will be strengthened, particularly the Western border, to foil illegal entry into the country.
Just like COVID-19, the Director-General said the mode of transmission for both Ebola and Marburg viruses is by direct contact with blood or other body fluids of an infected person who has symptoms or recently died from the disease.
He advised the citizenry to strictly adhere to the safety protocols, including regular hand washing, physical distancing, wearing of face masks, and coughing into a bent elbow or tissue.
Source: Daily Mail GH
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