A virologist at the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research,(KCCR), Dr Michael Owusu has said that government must provide a strategy to combat the Ebola Virus Disease should it be registered in the country.

The virologist's comment follows the Ghana Health Service's (GHS) directive that the management of all health facilities in the country should initiate response protocols for the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

Also, Guinea’s official declaration that the country is dealing with Ebola in their country after three persons were reported dead from the virus.

This has forced countries in the West African sub-region to tighten their borders, and also put health workers on red alert to monitor all entry points for any suspected importation of the virus into their countries.

In an interview on JoyNews’ Midday, Wednesday, Dr Owusu called for the surveillance in the country to be increased especially at the borders to avoid the importation of the virus into the country.

He added that “In terms of laboratory capacity, we need a high level laboratory not what we are already using, I mean a level three laboratory which is highly equipped with high level of PPE to enable people comfortably test for these.’’

According to him, Ebola is one of the most fearful viruses and lethal as compared to Covid-19 adding that the two viruses have different transmission pathways therefore the need for a strategic plan in place to deal with the virus.

“Covid-19 is transmitted through the nasal portal through droplets but the Ebola is through body fluid contact. The strategy for dealing with Covid is not the same strategy that you can use to deal with Ebola because they are different streams. Even dead bodies from Ebola patients have high transmission levels compared to people who die of Covid,” he stated.