Ebola Outbreak

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa as "one of the most challenging" it has ever faced. The number of people who have been killed by the virus in Guinea has passed 100, and it has also killed 10 people in Liberia.

The World Health Organisation has stated that it could take up to four months to subdue the outbreak.

The Ebola virus is spread by close contact and has a high mortality rate as there is no known cure. As many West African states have porous borders and people frequently travel between countries this has raised fears about the virus spreading. Mali is currently on high alert and has stated it will tighten its borders.

This is the first known outbreak of the virus in Guinea as the most recent Ebola cases have been thousands of miles away in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

Regarding travel to West Africa the WHO website has stated that ‘The risk of infection for travellers is very low since most human infections result from direct contact with the body fluids or secretions of infected patients, particularly in hospitals (nosocomial transmission) and as a result of unsafe procedures, use of contaminated medical devices (including needles and syringes) and unprotected exposure to contaminated body fluids. Travellers should avoid all contact with infected patients.’

‘Anyone who stayed in the areas where EVD cases have been recently reported should be aware of the symptoms of infection and advised to seek medical attention at the first sign of illness.’ Finally WHO has stated that at the present time it ‘does not recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied in respect to this event.’

For more information on symptoms and updates on the spread of the virus and any affects this may have on travel please visit http://www.who.int/mediacentre/en/