Ebola virus disease in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Mbandaka)

The World Health Organization has reported a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the city of Mbandaka, Equateur province, in the northwest of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This is the third oubreak of the disease in Equateur province since 2018.

As of 29 April 2022, there have been 2 cases, both of whom have died. The first case became ill on 5 April 2022 and died on 21 April 2022. The second case was a member of the same family and died on 25 April 2022. As of 27 April 2022, 267 contacts have been identified and a vaccination programme is underway.

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.