Ebola Virus Transmission in Liberia (Declared Over)

03 Sep 2015

For the second time, WHO has declared Liberia free of Ebola virus transmission in the human population. On 3 September 2015, 42 days have passed since the second negative test on 22 July 2015, of the last laboratory-confirmed case. There now follows a 90-day period of heightened surveillance in Liberia.

Transmission had been declared over for the first time on 9 May 2015, however, a re-emergence of EVD on 29 June identified 6 additional cases.

Liberia's effective response to the outbreak was the result of intensified vigilance and rapid response by the government and many other partners.

Advice for Travellers

Travellers should be aware that the Ebola outbreak is not over in Guinea or Sierra Leone.

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.