The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak an international public health emergency. This is the largest Ebola outbreak to date and will require international support to the affected countries and a coordinated response to control the outbreak and stop further spread.
The risk of infection for travellers to the region would, however, be considered low and the WHO has not imposed general trade or travel restrictions either to or from Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria. Human infections result from direct contact with the body fluids and organs and blood of infected patients and there is no airborne spread.
Persons with confirmed Ebola disease or identified contacts of these patients will not be allowed to travel out of the affected countries. This regulation would not apply to expatriates who become ill while working in the affected countries and who require medical evacuation. There will be exit screening at all borders in the affected countries to detect persons with febrile illness. There are no special precautions or directives for commercial flights, passengers or crew departing on flights bound for or returning to Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone or Nigeria.
The risk of Ebola being introduced into South Africa remains low. There are a number of measures that have been put in place at South African ports of entry as well as medical facilities in South Africa to identify persons at risk with fever from the affected countries.
If after visiting Ebola affected countries and you experience fever, tiredness, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough, immediately call your medical centre and tell them about your symptoms and travel history. There are eleven designated hospitals for handling suspected cases of Ebola in the country.
Travellers in Africa are reminded of the malaria risk and the need to take preventative measures and to always consider malaria in the event of the occurrence of fever.
For more information:
Joe Maila, Spokesperson: Ministry of Health
Cell: 082 887 3581
E-mail: mailaj@health.gov.za or health.spokesperson@gmail.com
Twitter: @mjmaila or @HealthZa
