Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has assured Ghanaians 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.
Addressing the nation on Thursday, May 21, the Minister said the Health Ministry had already issued two public notices on Ebola within the past week to keep the public informed and prepared.
“Last week, WHO declared Ebola as a public health emergency of international concern,” Mr Akandoh stated.
He explained that Ebola is a viral disease spread through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, secretions, or contaminated surfaces and materials.
According to him, symptoms include sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding.
“People experiencing symptoms such as sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unexplained bleeding should immediately report to the nearest health facility,” he advised.
Mr Akandoh, however, reassured the public that Ghana remains free of the disease.
“It is important to note that no cases have been recorded in West Africa, including our dear country, Ghana,” he said.
He urged the public to remain calm but vigilant and to strictly observe preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection.
“Prevention is always better than cure,” the Minister stressed.
As part of the preventive measures, he encouraged regular handwashing with soap under running water and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers.
“What this means is that we should wash our hands frequently with soap and running water or use hand sanitisers,” he explained.
The Health Minister also called on organisers of public events and mass gatherings to provide handwashing stations and hand sanitisers for participants.
“During mass gatherings, please also practice good hand hygiene, and event organisers should provide hand washing stations and hand sanitisers,” he added.
Mr Akandoh further assured citizens that the government is taking all necessary steps to protect the country against any possible outbreak.
“It is important to stress that presently the risk is low in Ghana,” he noted.
“I would like to use this opportunity to assure everybody that the government is taking all the necessary measures to protect us all,” he said.
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