THE Ministry of Health is urging travellers to and from Ebola-affected countries to ensure that they are aware of the signs and symptoms of Ebola so that they can take action to reduce any possible exposure.

Acting permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr Kevin Harvey, says that this is important to ensure that individuals minimise their risk of contracting the virus and then spreading it to others.

He warned travellers against touching dead bodies and to restrict intimate contact with people who may be infected or could be in contact with an infected person. He said people should be honest in disclosing their travel history at air and sea ports.

“If, for any reason, an individual believes that he/she has been exposed to the virus, they should seek immediate medical treatment at a major hospital and reduce contact with other persons as much as possible,” Dr Harvey warned.

The Ebola virus is a severe, often fatal illness with a death rate of up to 90 per cent. It is transmitted through direct contact with blood and other body fluids or secretions such as stool, saliva, urine, and semen of infected persons. Infection can also occur if broken skin comes in contact with environments that have become contaminated with an Ebola patient’s infectious fluids such as soiled bed clothing, bed linen or used needles.

Symptoms of Ebola include sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat. This may be followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases both internal and external bleeding leading to death. The incubation period for the virus is anywhere from two to 20 days.