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Ebola In The News

Travelers to countries affected by the Ebola outbreak in several West African countries should closely monitor updated information available concerning the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The Ebola outbreak presents health and travel risks. The outbreak has affected the ability to travel to and from, as well as within, the affected countries. Travelers have encountered difficulties in securing alternative travel arrangements. Below are a variety of useful resources you may wish to consult in order to learn more about the disease and its impact on health and travel.

Links for travelers
World Health Organization’s FAQs on the EVD
World Health Organization’s Advice for Travelers re EVD
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines for US Citizens Abroad and EVD
Ebola Virus – How easily do germs spread on planes? (BBC News)

CDC issues Level 3 Travel Warning

The CDC has issued a warning to avoid nonessential travel to the West African nations of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. This Level 3 travel warning is a reflection of the worsening Ebola outbreak in this region and the severity of the illness. For more details, visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/p0731-ebola.html
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/index.html

Members of the University community are strongly encouraged to heed the CDC and U.S State Department’s cautions regarding travel in this region. Travelers returning from this region are being advised by the CDC as follows:

Persons returning from an affected area but have not had direct contact with the body fluids of symptomatic infected persons or animals, or objects that have been contaminated with body fluids, should monitor their health for 10 days. Those with a potential exposure should monitor their health for 21 days post exposure. Regardless, any traveler who becomes ill, even if only a fever, should consult a health-care provider immediately.�

World Health Organization declares Public Health Emergency of International Concern

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.� The current outbreak began in Guinea in December 2013 and currently involves transmission in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.� While the likelihood of the arrival of someone into Alaska with hemorrhagic fever due to Ebola virus disease is very low, and the potential for transmission in the United States is even lower, recent developments have raised international concerns.�


US State Department provides travel alerts

The US State Department maintains links that provide updated information for travelers. The State Department is providing information about Ebola for travelers, in addition to their “country specific” service that provides information about situations within specific countries, including travel alerts, travel warnings and advice.

Ebola fact sheet
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/go/Ebola.html

Country specific link
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html

Travelers should monitor developments at the time of their trips.

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