Ebola scare: GIS starts screening at boarders

Wednesday 9th July , 2014 8:30 am

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has announced plans to step up screening centres at the various entry points of the country.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Immigration Service, Francis Palm Deti, arrangements have been put in place at major entry points to screen foreigners visiting the country.

He said this is a way of ensuring that possible carriers of the deadly Ebola virus are identified and immediately handled properly.

”A few weeks ago when we had information about this Ebola; some form of counselling  have been given to boarder officials  [to be extra vigilant]…,” he said.

Mr. Deti said the Port Health Authorities  (PHA) will screen immigrants at the various ports. He further explained that prohibited immigrants who refused to submit to medical screening when needed would be refused entry into Ghana.

He also mentioned that there is the need for adequate resources to enhance the work of the PHA.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has activated the National Disease Surveillance Team to contain any possible spread of Ebola fever in the country.

This follows the case of an American who died of hemorrhagic fever at the Nyaho Medical Centre in Accra.

Four tests conducted by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) revealed that the patient did not suffer from Ebola fever.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Health in Accra on Tuesday said Ghana had a test case a few days ago involving a foreign national with travel history of a visit to one of the affected countries.

It said the foreigner fell sick and was rushed to “one of our hospitals and the clinical presentation led us to suspect Ebola Virus Disease.

“As most of us are aware, specimens have been sent to NMIMR and results are negative.

“After four laboratory tests, all proved negative,” it said.

By: Evans Effah/citifmonline.com/notes from Daily Graphic/Ghana