We have identified you may not be viewing TRAVAX optimally because the browser you are using is unsupported - click here.

Suitcase

Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa (Update)

05 June 2014

Further cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) continue to be reported.

In Guinea, 37 cases have been reported from four of the affected districts of the country: Conakry (3), Gueckedou (11), Macenta (4) and Telimele (19). The total number of cases from EVD in Guinea is 328, of which 193 have been laboratory confirmed; 208 deaths have been recorded. Cases have reported from: Conakry (56), Gueckedou (190), Macenta (44), Dabola (4), Kissidougou (7), Dinguiraye (1), Telimele (22), and Boffa (4 cases).

In Sierra Leone, 13 new cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) were reported from Kailahun (12) and Kenema (1). This brings the total number of cases to 79 (18 confirmed, 3 probable, and 58 suspected). The cases were located in: Kailahun (41), Kenema (3), Koinadugu (2), Bombali (1), Bo (13), Moyamba (1), and Free Town (5).

In Liberia, 11 contacts of theĀ one suspected fatal case of EVD reported in Foya district on 29 May, are being followed up.

(Via WHO Global Alert and Response - accessed 05/06/14)

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.