Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa (Update)

10 Nov 2014

The outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa continues. Tranmission remains intense and widespread in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.

As of 07 November 2014, a total of 13 241 cases and 4950 deaths have been reported in the three countries above. The distribution of the cases is listed below, case numbers include confirmed, probable and suspected:

• Guinea - 1760 cases and 1054 deaths.
• Liberia - 6619 cases and 2766 deaths.
• Sierra Leone - 4862 cases and 1130 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.