Ebola Virus Disease in Northern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
15 May 2017
On 13 May an outbreak of Ebola virus disease was confirmed in the northern part of DRC. 11 suspected cases including 3 deaths have been reported in Likati Health Zone, Bas Uele Province. This area is about 1400 km from the capital, Kinshasa and is near the border of Central African Republic. The region is hard to reach and has limited transport and communication infrastructure.
Advice to travellers
The risk of travellers becoming infected or developing Ebola virus disease is extremely low.
The following preventive measures should greatly reduce the risk of infection:
- Avoid direct contact with blood or body fluids of a sick person or a corpse and with any objects possibly contaminated
- Avoid close contact with wild animals and consumption of ‘bush meat’
- Avoid having unprotected sexual intercourse