About Ebola Virus and Protections

WHAT IS EBOLA VIRUS

DISEASE?

■ Ebola virus disease is a severe and

fatal viral disease that affects humans

and wild animals (monkeys, gorillas and

chimpanzees).

■Following the incubation period of

2-21 days (8-10 days mostly) after

being exposed to the disease, some

symptoms such as high fever, headache,

joint and muscle pain, weakness,

diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and lack of appetite can be

observed.

■ In severe cases, symptoms such as skin

eruption, red eyes, cough, dyspnea, sore

throat, difficulty in swallowing, hiccup,

internal and external bleeding and liver

and renal failure are also observed.

■ There is no specific treatm ent or vaccine against this disease.

■ Mortality rate due to the disease is almost about 90%.

HOW IS IT TRANSMITTED?

■ It is transmitted to people from infected

wild animals like chimpanzees, gorillas,

monkeys and bats.

■ It is transmitted through direct contact with blood or body fluids

(sweat, saliva, sperm) of an infected person or with objects

and syringes/needles contaminated with that person’s

blood or body fluids.

■ It is transmitted through contact with blood or body fluids of a

person died of Ebola virus disease.

■ It is transmitted through contact with living or dead wild

animals or their raw or undercooked meat.

WHAT ARE RISKS FOR TRAVELERS?

■ There is risk for people traveling to the places Ebola

virus outbreak is present.

■ Transmission risk of disease is higher in forestry areas,

local bazaars, and healthcare facilities.

■ Some occupational groups (healthcare professionals,

nature travelers etc) are under higher risk.

HOW CAN WE PROTECT OURSELVESP

■As in other contagious diseases, washing

hands with soap and water frequently is

important for protection. If there is no water

and soap, hands should be cleaned with alcohol-based hand

disinfectants.

■ Contact with wild animals sold in local bazaars should be avoided.

Meat of wild animals should not be eaten and dead animals

should not be touched.

■ Patients with suspected infection with this disease should be

stayed away from and infected or suspected people should be

isolated carefully. Infected or dead people should be approached

with special protective equipment (mask, goggles, gloves,

medical overalls etc).

■ Contact with blood or body fluids of

infected people or animals should be

avoided.

■ Objects that may have contacted with blood or body fluids of an

infected person should not be touched. Such objects should be

burned or disinfected.

WHERE DOES EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE OCCUR ?

■ Ebola virus disease outbreak still goes on in Republics of Guinea,

Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

■ Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon,

South Sudan, Ivory Coast, Uganda,

Congo, South Africa and Republic of

Mali are also places that some cases

were reported in the past

SUGGESTIONS FOR TRAVELERS AFTER THEY RETURN

■ Monitor your health for 21 days after your return from your travel

to epidemic areas. If you or any family member suffer from fever,

shivering, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, skin eruption or

red eyes, immediately apply to a healtcare center.

■ If you fell sick during your travel, after you return to country,

immediately apply to a healthcare center even if your complaints

are not so serious.

■ Inform your doctor about your travel and potential disease

contacts definitely.

GENERAI

HEALTH RULES

IN TRAVELS

Appropriate preventive measures and special precautions

significantly reduce the risks of harmful health outcomes.

■ Do not forget that learning the specific circumstances in

your chosen destination and seeking advice on health

measures needed to be taken before your travel begins is

really important.

■Obtain enough prescriptions for your entire travel duration and

get advices from your doctor on how to prepare an appropriate

medical kit.

■ Boil the w ater that is not safe to drink definitely.

■Wash your hands frequently with w ater and soap

■ Do not eat foods unless you are sure about their freshness and

sources.

■ If you apply to a healthcare center for any reason, be sure

that the needles and instruments used for you are disposable

and sterile.

■Take necessary precautions against pests. It will be hepful

to use fly-repellent sprays and mosquito nets when sleeping.

Trauel Health

SUPPOrt Line Support Line”;

■ Medical advices about health risks in the countries chosen for

travel and required preventive measures are provided for

people before their travels.

■Consultancy services are provided about the health problems

of people travelling abroad and our citizens and cognates living

in those countries. We are with you 7/24.

Risks related to international

travels vary according to the

characteristics of traveler (age, gender,

health status etc) and travel itself

(route, purpose, duration etc).

"Ö21~444 7734

Travel Health Support line

Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health

General Directorate of Health for Dorders and Coastal Areas of Turkey