Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria (Update)

05 Aug 2014

The media has reported on the Ebola virus disease (EVD) situation in Nigeria. A second case has been confirmed in Nigeria. This case is said to be a doctor who attended the first case in Nigeria when he arrived in the country from Liberia.

The first case is still considered to be a probable case by WHO as laboratory samples have yet to be received for further testing and confirmation; transportation of the sample has been delayed.

Three other healthcare workers who attended the first case along with the doctor are symptomatic of EVD and results of laboratory testing for them is awaited. The health authorites are following up 70 contacts of the imported case.

Advice for Travellers

The risk of travellers becoming infected or developing Ebola haemorrhagic fever is extremely low, unless there has been direct contact with blood or bodily fluids of dead or living infected persons or animals. Healthcare workers are at particular risk, although practising appropriate infection control should effectively prevent transmission of disease in this setting.

Travellers returning from tropical countries should always seek rapid medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms (such as fever, headache, diarrhoea or general malaise) within three weeks after return, and be reminded to mention to their health care provider that they have recently travelled.