EVD in DRC: update

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that the outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD), which began on 10 October 2021 in North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), remains stable.

The most recent case was reported on 30 October 2021 and discharged five days later. As of 26 November 2021, the total number of cases stands at 11, including nine deaths. Since November 21 2021, 1,045 contacts have left their 21-day follow-up period.

EVD is a type of viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF), which is spread through contact with the blood, body fluids or organs of a person or animal with the infection.

Advice for travellers

The risk to travellers becoming infected or developing EVD is extremely low. 

• Travellers to known Ebola outbreak areas must be made aware of the risk of infection and transmission routes of Ebola virus. 
• Medical personnel travelling to work in an outbreak region must follow strict infection prevention control guidance.

Travellers returning from an Ebola outbreak area should seek rapid medical attention by contacting NHS 24 (Scotland) or NHS 111 (rest of UK) for advice prior to attending UK medical facilities if they develop fever and have: 

• returned to the UK within 21 days from a region or area with a known outbreak of EVD  
• had contact with individuals infected with a VHF

Further information and advice on VHFs are available on the TRAVAX (for health professionals) and fitfortravel (for the general public) websites.

Source: TRAVAX, 29 November 2021