Ebola Virus Disease in Democratic Republic of Congo (Update)

24 Nov 2014

The outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) that was first reported to WHO on 24 August 2014, has been declared over. The end of an EVD outbreak in a country can be declared once 42 days have passed and no new cases have been detected. The 42 days is twice the maximum incubation period for Ebola (21 days). The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reached the 42-day mark on 20 November 2014.

There have been seven outbreaks of EVD in DRC since 1976, when the Ebola virus was first identified in the country.

Advice for Travellers

The risk of travellers becoming infected or developing EVD 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.