WHO official says Ebola remains threat to Ghana

An World Health Organization (WHO) official has asked the Ghanaian government to scale up its preparation against possible Ebola outbreak, which she said remains a threat to the country. "Ghana's borders are porous. People are now eating bats, a major transmitter of the (Ebola) virus, and are also fond of shaking hands during social events which could easily spread the virus," said WHO country director in Ghana, Magdalene Rabalo, during a forum held by the organization in Accra on Friday.

She told local media the epidemic was far from being over, urging Ghanaians to maintain vigilance and avoid activities that could expose them to Ebola infection.

Ghana's Deputy Health Minister Victor Bampoh gave the assurance that the country was doing everything to prevent the disease.

"The government has cooperated with the World Bank to train more Ghanaian medical personnel to help fight the virus and other deadly diseases," said Bampoh.

The Ebola disease has killed more than 9,500 people in three worst-affected countries, including Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, but recorded a remarkable reduction in the rate of infection in past months. Endi