The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has intensified preparedness efforts following the recent outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in Ethiopia, highligh
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has intensified preparedness efforts following the recent outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in Ethiopia, highlighting the country’s proactive stance in safeguarding public health.
Acting Director-General of GHS, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, led a comprehensive tour of critical health facilities in Accra to assess the readiness for any potential cases.
The visits included the Ghana Infectious Diseases Centre (GIDC) at Ga East, the National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre at Korle-Bu and Pantang, and the Port Health Unit at Kotoka International Airport. Senior officials from the Public Health Division accompanied Dr. Akoriyea
At the GIDC, the Ag. DG inspected laboratories, intensive care units, isolation wards, and recovery areas.
The team evaluated bed capacity, resource gaps, and overall preparedness.
During the visit, Dr. Akoriyea engaged health workers undergoing specialized training in infectious diseases, encouraging them to maintain vigilance and dedication as their expertise strengthens Ghana’s response systems.
The tour continued at the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, where officials demonstrated the use of round-the-clock surveillance tools such as the Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) and the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS).
These systems are instrumental in monitoring global health events and tracking suspected cases across health facilities and points of entry.
At Kotoka International Airport, Dr. Akoriyea urged Port Health officers to heighten vigilance, particularly for travelers arriving from Ethiopia.
He emphasized that the health system is prepared to detect and respond swiftly to any public health threats.
The Ministry of Health (MoH), through the GHS, confirmed that the recent outbreak in Ethiopia poses a potential risk due to frequent travel between the two countries.
The Ethiopian Public Health Institute officially notified the World Health Organization on 14 November 2025 of nine confirmed cases and three deaths so far.
Marburg virus disease is a highly infectious hemorrhagic fever that can spread from animals to humans and between humans. Its incubation period ranges from two to twenty-one days, and currently, there is no vaccine. Treatment remains largely supportive and symptomatic.
Dr. Akoriyea assured Ghanaians that the Ministry is implementing proactive measures, including heightened surveillance at points of entry, alerts to regional and local health facilities, activation of emergency response structures, and collaboration with other health partners such as the Veterinary Services Directorate and the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission to monitor animal-to-human transmission.
The Ministry has also issued public health guidance, advising citizens to report symptoms such as high fever, bloody diarrhea, bleeding from gums, skin, or eyes, and blood in urine.
In addition, basic infection prevention measures—frequent handwashing with soap under running water or using alcohol-based sanitizers, avoiding direct contact with sick individuals, and steering clear of animals exhibiting unusual illness—remain critical.
The health authorities have emphasized that the country is fully equipped to respond to emerging threats, reinforcing the importance of vigilance, preparedness, and timely reporting to prevent the spread of Marburg virus within the country.
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