Ebola Virus Transmission in Sierra Leone (Declared Over)

09 Nov 2015

On 7 November 2015, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that the transmission of Ebola virus in Sierra Leone has been stopped. Two incubation periods (42 days) have elapsed since the last Ebola virus disease case had a second negative test for the virus.

Sierra Leone now has a 90-day period of surveillance, running until 5 February 2016; WHO will continue to provide support during this time.

During this outbreak, a total of 8704 cases and 3589 deaths were recorded in Sierra Leone.

Advice for Travellers

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

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.