End of active transmission of Ebola Virus Disease in Sierra Leone

18 Mar 2016

On 17 March WHO announced the end of human-to-human transmission linked to the recent cluster of 2 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reported from Sierra Leone on 14 January. 42 days (i.e. two incubation periods) have passed since the second and last case provided a second consecutive blood sample negative for Ebola virus by RT-PCR.

(Via WHO statement - accessed 18/03/16)

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.