Ebola virus is cause of haemorrhagic fever outbreak in Guinea

The previously unidentified haemorrhagic disease outbreak in Guinea has been confirmed as Ebola virus. So far the number of fatalities has increased from 25 to 59 out of the 80 suspected cases. Teams of international experts are being mobilized to help contain the epidemic in Gueckedou.

Ebola is transmitted to humans through close contact with infected animals including chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelope and porcupines. The disease is transmitted from one person to another through contact with organs, blood, secretions, or other bodily fluids, especially when preparing deceased relatives and friends for burial.

The risk for travellers is very low, provided they do not participate in activities that bring into contact with the body fluids that transmit the disease.