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The World Health Organisation has confirmed the family cluster of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in liberia.
The first-reported case was a 15-year-old boy who tested positive for EVD after admission to a health facility in the Greater Monrovia area on 19 November. He was then transferred to an Ebola treatment centre along with the 5 other members of his family. Two other members of the family – the boy’s 8-year old brother and his 40-year-old father – subsequently tested positive whilst in isolation. In addition to the family, 149 contacts have been identified so far, including 10 health workers who had close contact with the 15-year-old prior to isolation.
Investigations to establish the origin of infection are at an early stage.
(Via WHO Ebola Situation Report 25 Nov - accessed 27/11/15)
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.
