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Ebola in Democratic Republic of the Congo

12 Feb 2021

The World Health Organization reports  the Democratic Republic of the Congo has declared a new outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) following confirmation of a new case in North Kivu Province .

The case was of an adult living in Biena Health Zone. Laboratory testing confirmed the case positive for EVD on 07th February 2021. To date the source of infection is still under investigation.

Advice to travellers

Ebola Virus Disease is a type of viral haemorrhagic fever

The risk to travellers becoming infected or developing Ebola Virus Disease 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 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 Ebola Virus Disease.
  • had contact with individuals infected with VHF

For further information see fitfortravel Viral Haemorrhagic Fever page.