Ebola Latest Bulletin Update

27 August 2014

EBOLA LATEST BULLETIN UPDATE

AUSTRALIAN DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE

Travel restrictions and preventative measures

The WHO announcement marking the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern has led to travel restrictions being implemented in many African countries, as well as major travel hubs around the world. Authorities in several countries have implemented flight bans due to the spread of EVD. An increasing number of carriers have indefinitely suspended flights into Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. More disruptions and cancellations should be expected.

Many land borders have been closed. It is likely that more land borders, ports and river crossings will close, with little or no notice.

Health screening is being undertaken at many international airports that have direct flights into the region or that are major air travel hubs. Travellers with fever or Ebola-like symptoms may be subject to quarantine or denied entry or exit from certain countries.

A summary of restrictions is detailed below, based on the latest confirmed advice from foreign governments. If you are planning travel, you should be aware that further restrictions may be put in place with little or no notice. Monitor the media closely and before you travel, confirm that borders remain open and/or check with your carrier for the most up to date information on flight schedules and possible cancellations.

Affected countries

Guinea: Land borders with Senegal, Sierra Leone and Liberia have been closed. Health screenings have been introduced at border crossings. Travellers with fever or EVD-like symptoms are subject to quarantine or denied entry or exit from the country.

Sierra Leone:Land borders with Guinea and Liberia have been closed. A 60-90 day state of emergency has been imposed, which enables the military to enforce quarantine zones, restrict public movements and limit public gatherings. Health screenings have been introduced at border crossings. Travellers with fever or EVD-like symptoms are being subject to quarantine or denied entry or exit from the country.

Liberia:The majority of Liberia’s borders are closed. Health screenings have been introduced at the border crossings that remain open. Travellers with fever or EVD-like symptoms are being subject to quarantine or being denied entry or exit from the country. There are road restrictions into and out of the south-eastern region in place. A checkpoint has been established at the boundary between Nimba and Grand Gedeh.

Nigeria:A small number of cases of EVD, including deaths, have now been confirmed in Nigeria. As a measure to control the disease, Nigeria has introduced health screening measures for passengers arriving and departing at all airports in Nigeria.

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC):The government of the DRC has confirmed that an EVD outbreak has occurred in Equateur Province in northern DRC. DRC authorities believe that this is a separate strain of EVD from the west Africa outbreak. Travellers should carefully consider the likely impact on their travel plans of any restrictions on movement that may be imposed in the future

Other African countries

Cabo Verde: Travel is restricted into the country for non-resident foreigners who in the last 30 days have been to any of the countries affected by EVD.

Cameroon: All air, sea and land borders with Nigeria have temporarily been closed. Cameroon is using the temporary closure to establish medical teams and detections measures at entry points, including border checkpoints and the international airport.

Cote d’Ivoire:Authorities are refusing entry to all air passengers from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Flights have been rerouted accordingly. Land borders with Guinea and Liberia have also reportedly been closed.

Equatorial Guinea: The issuance of visas has been suspended for those travelling from central and west Africa. The national carrier Ceiba Intercontinental has reportedly cancelled all incoming and outgoing flights to/from Sao Tome et Principe, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Republic of Congo, Benin, Togo, Nigeria and Gabon. In addition, permission for vessels travelling to or from west, central or east Africa to berth or depart from Malabo port has been suspended.

Gabon:All incoming flights from or via countries affected by EVD, including Nigeria, have been cancelled.

Guinea-Bissau: Authorities have closed the land border with Guinea, reinforced maritime patrols and airport controls, and suspended flights to and from affected countries.

Kenya:Entry of passengers travelling from or through Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, is suspended, with the exception of health professionals supporting efforts to contain the outbreak and Kenyan citizens.

Senegal: The land border with Guinea is closed. Sea and air borders are also closed to vessels and aircraft from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

South Africa:Foreign citizens arriving from EVD affected countries in west Africa will not be allowed to enter South Africa. South African citizens will be allowed to re-enter, but will be subject to screening.

Uganda:Health screening is in place for all travellers from affected west African countries and from the DRC at Entebbe International Airport. An isolation centre has been established at the airport for any suspected EVD cases.

Zambia:The entry of travellers from affected West African countries is banned.

Airline suspensions

We are aware that the following airlines have changed or suspended flights in the west Africa region as a result of the EVD outbreak. Further suspensions may be put in place at short notice. Before travelling by air in Africa, we strongly recommend that you contact your airline for the latest information on service changes that may affect your plans.

Kenyan Airways has temporarily suspended flights from Liberia and Sierra Leone into Nairobi.

Asky Airlines has suspended flight to and from Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Arik Air and Gambia Bird have suspended services to Liberia and Sierra Leone.

British Airways has suspended flights to Liberia and Sierra Leone until at least 31 August 2014.

Ceiba Intercontinental has suspended flights to west African countries.

Emirates Airlines has suspended flights to Guinea.

Korean Air has suspended flight to and from Kenya.

Royal Air Maroc and Brussels Airlines are still operating but on modified routes and schedules.

Delta and Air France continue to operate as normal however Delta is due to cease flying to Monrovia, Liberia at the end of August.

Prevention measures at international travel hubs

Hong Kong:Health screening is in place with isolation centres prepared at a designated hospital.

Taiwan:Standard health screening of all passengers through the international airport. Passengers with journeys originating in west Africa are being issued with cards advising them to call a hotline if they develop certain symptoms.

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