Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa
28 Aug 2014
New Ebola virus disease (EVD) cases and deaths continue to be reported in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. The outbreak continues to accelerate with more than 40% of the total number of cases have occurring within the past 21 days. Most cases, however, are concentrated in only a few localities.
As of 26 August 2014, the cumulative number of cases attributed to EVD in the four countries stands at 3069, including 1552 deaths. The distribution of the cases is listed below:
- Guinea - 647 cases and 430 deaths.
- Liberia - 1378 cases and 694 deaths.
- Nigeria - 17 cases and 6 deaths.
- Sierra Leone - 1026 cases and 422 deaths.
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.