Guidance for persons planning to travel to West
Africa to conduct QMUL business, fieldwork or
research
(Ref: QMUL_OHSD_GA028)
QMUL has issued general guidance to staff and students on the current outbreak of Ebola
Virus Disease. The guidance to staff can be found on Connect:
http://connect.qmul.ac.uk/qmandyou/staff/items/2014/item139759.html.
If you have work/research planned in areas affected by the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak
please take the following steps:
1. Undertake a risk assessment of your planned activities, remember to research the
current situation in your country of destination and include any pertinent risks/risk
controls. Guidance can be found on the Foreign Office website:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
The risk assessment should address the actions to take in case of emergencies,
including medical emergencies.
2. Contact QMUL’s insurance officer: r.sandhu-bal@qmul.ac.uk
3. Check the latest guidance on Public Health England:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ebola-virus-disease-risk-assessment-ofoutbreak-in-west-africa
4. Submit the rationale for the visit and the risk assessment to your head of school,
institute, etc. for approval.
5. Ensure you are familiar with guidance on avoiding Ebola and checking your health
after visiting countries where EVD is present. The following is adapted from the US
Centre for Disease Control:
What can travellers do to prevent Ebola?
There is no vaccine or specific treatment for Ebola, and many people who get the disease
die. Therefore, it is important to take steps to prevent Ebola.


Avoid nonessential travel to Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.
If you must travel, please make sure to do the following:
o
Practice careful hygiene. Avoid contact with blood and body fluids of people who
are sick with Ebola.
o
Do not handle items that may have come in contact with an infected person’s
blood or body fluids.
o
Avoid funeral or burial rituals that require handling the body of someone who has
died from Ebola.
o
Avoid contact with wild animals and with raw or undercooked meat (bushmeat).
o
Avoid hospitals where Ebola patients are being treated. The UK Embassy or
consulate may be able to provide advice on facilities that are suitable for your
needs.
o
Seek medical care immediately if you develop fever (greater than 38.6°C) and
additional symptoms such as severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting,
diarrhoea, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising.
QM_OHSD_GA028_ Guidance for persons planning to travel to West Africa to conduct QMUL business, fieldwork or research
Status: Draft
Author: Marion Richards
o
Limit your contact with other people when you travel to the doctor; avoid public
transportation. Do not travel anywhere except to the doctor’s office or hospital.
After your return
If you were exposed to Ebola during your trip, call your doctor even if you do not have
symptoms. Your doctor should evaluate your exposure level and symptoms if you have them
and consult with public health authorities to determine whether actions, such as medical
evaluation and testing for Ebola, monitoring, or travel restrictions are needed.
Pay attention to your health after your return, even if you were not exposed to Ebola during
your trip.


Monitor your health for 21 days if you were in an area with an Ebola outbreak
o
Take your temperature every morning and evening.
o
Watch for other Ebola symptoms: severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting,
diarrhoea, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising.
o
If your temperature is above 38.6°C and you have any other Ebola symptoms,
seek medical care immediately.

Tell the doctor about your recent travel and your symptoms before you go to
the doctor’s office or hospital. Advance notice will help the doctor care for
you and protect other people who may be in the doctor’s office or hospital.

Limit your contact with other people when you travel to the doctor; avoid
public transportation.

Do not travel anywhere except to the doctor’s office or hospital.
During the time that you are monitoring your health, you can continue your normal
activities, including work. If you get symptoms of Ebola, it is important to stay apart
from other people and call your doctor right away.
QM_OHSD_GA028_ Guidance for persons planning to travel to West Africa to conduct QMUL business, fieldwork or research
Status: Draft
Author: Marion Richards