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Health Alert

Ebola virus disease in Liberia

Updated: July 17, 2015

Travel Health Notice

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current outbreak of Ebola in West Africa a public health emergency that requires a coordinated international response to stop the spread.

On May 9, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an end to the outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Liberia; however, on June 29, the country reported its first new case of Ebola. Liberia continues to monitor for new cases and measures are in place to prevent transmission in the country.

The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that travellers to Liberia practise special precautions as ongoing outbreaks continue in the neighbouring countries of Guinea and Sierra Leone.

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.

Ebola virus disease is a rare, severe and sometimes fatal viral disease that can infect both humans and animals.

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 West Africa where treatment of patients with Ebola is occurring.
   • Know the symptoms of Ebola virus disease and see a health care provider if they develop during travel.
     • It is important to limit your contact with others as much as possible until you can be assessed by a health care provider.
     • You can become exposed to Ebola by caring or living with a person who is sick with Ebola, by having contact with Ebola infected blood or body fluids or by having contact with someone who died of Ebola or an unknown illness.
     • If you believe you were exposed to Ebola virus but are not showing any symptoms of the illness, you should limit your contact with others as much as possible and monitor for symptoms for 21 days.
     • If you develop symptoms, see a health care provider immediately.
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.