Ebola Returns in Guinea

After not reporting any cases of Ebola since 4 March, 4 new infections have been reported in the epidemic area. The total number of cases has now reached 23, with 12 deaths.

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Advice For Travellers

It is unfortunate that more cases were discovered. If 2 incubation periods (42 days) have expired since the last reported case, the epidemic is considered closed. If a new case is found, the clock is reset.

At this moment, the risk of exposure for the general traveller is very low unless the traveller is providing health care for Ebola patients or actively involved in the epidemic control measures. Although there are some new treatments for Ebola, any traveller in the affected area should still avoid any direct contact with anyone suspected to have this infection since it is highly contagious and lethal. Transmission often occurs during burial rituals (such as washing the body), close physical contact with infected persons and their body fluids, during sexual contact or within hospitals through contact with blood and body fluids of infected persons.