Ebola virus disease in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Mbandaka) - Update 1
05 May 2022
The World Health Organization has reported another case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the city of Mbandaka, Equateur province, in the northwest of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
As of 04 May 2022, there have been 3 cases, 2 of whom have died. The latest case is a close contact of the first one. Public health authorities are monitoring 444 contacts.
Ebola virus disease is a type of viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF). It is spread through contact with the blood, body fluids or organs of a person or animal with the infection.
Advice to travellers
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 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 Ebola Virus Disease.
- Had contact with individuals infected with a VHF.
For further information, see the TRAVAX Viral Haemorrhagic Fever page.