The Danish Health and Medicines Authority still assesses that there is a minimum risk that the Ebola haemorrhagic fever will reach Denmark. Denmark has efficient health preparedness plans to detect suspected cases of Ebola in Denmark.
Since March 2014, cases of Ebola virus disease have been reported in the three West African countries Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and the disease recently reached Nigeria. According to WHO, more than 1,600 cases of Ebola virus disease had been reported as of 1 August 2014, including 900 deaths.
Minimum risk in Denmark
Since the first outbreak of Ebola in 1976, no cases of Ebola have been identified in Europe.
The Ebola virus is transmitted from e.g. fruit bats that are not found in our part of the world. In Denmark, efficient health preparedness plans are in place if a person with symptoms of infection arrives in Denmark, and in such case we would start the required examinations, treatment and isolation measures.
The risk of Ebola reaching Denmark is very low, and there is no risk of an Ebola outbreak in Denmark.
Travellers returning from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone
In general, all travellers returning to Denmark after having stayed in the three West African countries should seek medical care if they experience sudden onset of fever within the first 21 days of return to Denmark. In most cases, the symptoms are related to other infectious diseases like malaria. The doctor will decide whether a patient should be referred to a department of infectious diseases.
Since the Ebola virus does not spread very easily, it is unlikely that fever or other symptoms of infection in a person who has returned from a holiday, cultural tour or ordinary work-related travel are caused by the Ebola virus.
Travellers to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone
Travellers to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are encouraged to seek information about the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa on the State Serum Institute's website (in Danish only), which is updated as new information becomes available from WHO and the affected countries.
The risk of infection in connection with general travels in the countries is considered to be very low if travellers avoid various risk situations.
As the risk of infection increases when staying in clinics, hospital etc. in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, travellers should carefully consider unnecessary travels to these countries.
Read more
Information about Ebola and the outbreak of the disease on WHO’s website: WHO's Global Alert and Response website