Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa (Update)

Following a ten month period of low infection rates, the intensity and geographical area of EVD transmission have increased. In the week ending 31 May, a total of 25 confirmed cases were reported from 4 prefectures of Guinea and 3 districts of Sierra Leone. Several cases in both Guinea and Sierra Leone arose from unknown sources of infection, in areas that have not reported confirmed cases for several weeks, indicating that chains of transmission continue to go undetected.

• Guinea - a total of 13 cases were reported from 4 western prefectures in the week to 31 May. Of those cases, 7 were identified in the prefecture of Forecariah, bordering Sierra Leone. The remainder of cases were reported from the following prefectures: Boke in the northwest (1 case), Dubreka on the west-coast (4 cases), and Fria in the west (1 case).

• Sierra Leone - a total of 12 cases were reported from 3 districts in the week to 31 May. Of those cases, 8 were identified in a densely populated area in the district of Port Loko, north of the capital, Freetown. The district of Kambia reported its first case for over 2 weeks on 31 May.

As of 03 June 2015, more than 27 145 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of EVD and more than 11 147 deaths have been reported to WHO by the Ministries of Health for Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The distribution of the cases in West Africa is listed below, case numbers include confirmed, probable and suspected:

• Guinea - 3652 cases and 2429 deaths, cases in last 21 days 49.
• Sierra Leone - 12 827 cases and 3912 deaths, cases in last 21 days 23.

(Via WHO Ebola Situation Report 03/06/15 - accessed 04/06/15)

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.

• Further information on Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers.

Advice for Healthcare Professionals

• Further information and guidance Health Protection Scotland.
• Further information and guidance Public Health England.