Ebola Virus Disease in Liberia (Update)

13 Jul 2015

Further confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) have been reported in Liberia. Since the first confirmed case of EVD was reported in Margibi county on 29 June 2015, a total of  5 confirmed cases and one probable case have been recorded, as of 7 July. The World Health Organisation considers that these recent cases constitute a separate outbreak from the one that was declared over on 9 May 2015.

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.