Ebola Update Regarding Mali
December 5, 2014
This health advisory updates local healthcare personnel on the addition of Mali to the list of countries that are experiencing ongoing transmission of Ebola.
Person Under Investigation for Ebola Criteria Now Includes History of Travel to Mali
The West African country of Mali has been added to the list of Ebola-affected countries that constitute part of the CDC criteria for a Person Under Investigation (PUI) for Ebola. Healthcare personnel and facilities should be aware that travelers from countries with widespread transmission of Ebola (Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea) or cases in urban areas with uncertain control measures (Mali) will meet PUI criteria if they present with symptoms compatible with Ebola within 21 days of their departure from an Ebola-affected country.
New Ebola Poster for Healthcare Facility Waiting Rooms
On December 2, 2014, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) published an updated version of their Ebola poster for use in healthcare facility waiting rooms. The poster now includes Mali as a country of concern, and no longer lists fever or other symptoms as criteria for notifying healthcare facility personnel of a patient’s travel history. This poster is included as the second page of this alert. It is also available on the CDPH Ebola website.
Travel Alert Issued for Mali
A recent travel alert advises travelers to Mali to avoid contact with the blood and body fluids of people who are sick to reduce their risk of exposure to Ebola. Although recent Ebola cases in Mali have been limited to the city of Bamako, travelers to all parts of Mali should be alert to the possibility of further spread within that country. Links to recent travel alerts relating to Ebola are provided below.
Enhanced Screening and Monitoring of Travelers From Mali
Beginning November 17, 2014, travelers originating from Mali have been routed through the same five airports as travelers from Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. Travelers from Mali have also been subject to the same enhanced airport entry screening and subsequent symptom monitoring for Ebola, including twice daily temperature and symptom checks in coordination with state or local public health authorities for the 21-day period following their departure from an Ebola-affected country.
African Countries Declared Ebola-free
Although Nigeria and Senegal have had had imported Ebola cases, these countries have been declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Democratic Republic of Congo has also been declared Ebola-free. For more information about the ongoing outbreak in West Africa, please visit the CDC 2014 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa website.
CAHAN San Diego
County of San Diego, Health & Human Services Agency
Epidemiology and Immunization Services Branch
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CAHAN San Diego Alerts are intended for the use of public health, medical and laboratory professionals in San Diego County. This alert has been approved for reproduction and distribution to interested professionals. An online CAHAN San Diego application is available at http://www.cahansandiego.com for appropriate and interested individuals.