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Health Alert

Ebola virus disease in Liberia

Travel Health Notice

On May 9, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an end to the outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Liberia as there had been no cases of Ebola virus disease reported in 42 days (two incubation periods). As such, the Public Health Agency of Canada’s recommendation to avoid all non-essential travel has been lifted for Liberia.

The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that travellers to Liberia practise special precautions as ongoing outbreaks continue to occur in the neighbouring countries of Guinea and Sierra Leone, with the majority of cases reported in and around the capital cities of Conakry and Freetown.

For the latest updates on Ebola virus disease, including the total number of cases and deaths, please consult the World Health Organization’s latest Ebola Situation Report.

Please consult the Government of Canada’s travel advice and advisories for Liberia for more information, including safety, security and border measure considerations.

Recommendations

If travelling to Liberia:

1. Consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before your departure. Protect yourself by following the recommendations below.
2. Continue to take precautions to prevent Ebola.
   • Avoid direct contact with blood and other body fluids of people with unknown illnesses.
     • Avoid direct contact with bodies of people who died of unknown illnesses, including during funeral or burial rituals.
     • Avoid contact with any objects, such as needles, that have been contaminated with blood or body fluids.
     • Until more information is known about sexual transmission, avoid unprotected sexual activity with an infected person, a person recovering or who has recovered from Ebola virus disease (abstain from sexual activity or use  condoms every time).
   • Health care workers are at higher risk and should always adhere to routine infection prevention and control measures.
     • Health care workers should practise strict infection prevention and control measures including the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (i.e., gowns, masks, goggles and gloves) when providing care for suspect or confirmed cases.
     • In addition to routine practices for all patients, precautions for contact, droplet and aerosol generating procedures are recommended.
     • Patients with Ebola should be isolated.
   • Avoid close contact with or handling of animals.
     • Avoid live or dead animals, as both can spread the virus. Animals such as chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelope, pigs, porcupines, duikers and fruit bats may be Ebola virus disease carriers.
     • Avoid handling of raw or undercooked meat.
   • Avoid hospitals in Guinea and Sierra Leone where treatment of patients with Ebola is occurring.
3. Be prepared and protect yourself while travelling in Liberia
   • For general health information on how to prepare yourself before your trip, such as vaccines to consider and how to protect yourself against malaria, consult the recommendations for Liberia.
   • Make sure you are up-to-date with all of your routine vaccinations, especially measles vaccinations. Liberia is currently experiencing an increase in measles activity.
   • Check your travel health insurance plan and ensure you are fully covered. Consider contacting your travel health insurance provider to inquire about options for emergency medical evacuation if you become ill.
   • Practise strict hand washing routines. 

Travelling home to Canada

Before departure:

It is important to know that the airports in Ebola affected countries will continue to be screening travellers for signs of Ebola or a fever and/or the possibility that they may have been exposed to Ebola virus. Those who have been exposed or are showing symptoms of Ebola will not be allowed to travel on commercial flights as well as on any commercial buses, trains or ships.

In Canada:

• Public health measures at Canada’s borders have been strengthened.
• All travellers coming into Canada with a travel history from the outbreak regions will receive a health assessment from a Quarantine Officer and will be required to report to a local public health authority and self-monitor for up to 21 days.
• Quarantine Officers will provide travellers with an information kit and additional instructions to follow depending on their level of exposure to Ebola.