Guidance for staff intending to travel to, or returning from, Ebola
affected countries
The on-going outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, primarily affecting Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone has been declared
a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization. This is the largest outbreak of
this disease to ever happen.
Ebola is a severe and life threatening viral disease caused by the Ebola virus. The onset of illness is sudden, with
fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, sore throat and intense weakness. This is then followed by diarrhea, vomiting,
rash, impaired kidney and liver function and stomach pain. Some patients may develop a rash, red eyes, hiccups,
internal and external bleeding.
Ebola hemorrhagic fever is fatal in between 50 to 90% of all clinically ill cases. Ebola is spread through direct contact
with blood and body fluids from infected people. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days. Anyone who has
close contact with a person infected with the virus, or someone who handles samples from patients are at risk. This
includes hospital staff, family members and laboratory workers, all of whom are at risk if they do not use appropriate
protective equipment / barrier nursing techniques. These precautions include wearing protective gowns, gloves, and
masks, in addition to wearing eye protection (e.g. eye goggles) or a face shield.
The government advises against all but essential travel to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea except for those involved
in the direct response to the Ebola outbreak. It remains unlikely but not impossible that travellers infected in one of
the affected countries could arrive in the UK while incubating the disease and develop symptoms after their return.
Although the likelihood of imported cases is very low, travellers returning to the UK from the affected areas,
particularly those who have been involved in health care overseas, need to remain vigilant.
For staff or temporary workers who are planning to visit Ebola
affected countries:
We request that staff follow the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice and do not place themselves at risk
of infection. We recognise that some staff may have family in one of the affected countries but we do not consider
essential travel to include, for example, visiting family for a wedding. If staff choose not to follow the FCO advice and
travel to one of the affected countries, this may then result in work restrictions and / or exclusion upon return as
noted in the scenarios below.
All staff who travel to one of the Ebola affected countries (Guinea, Liberia
and Sierra Leone) irrespective of the reason for travel (personal or work
related) must contact the HR department of Kellan Group prior to leaving
the UK and on return to the UK, prior to their return to work.
If no healthcare work was undertaken whilst in one of the Ebola affected countries, and staff had no
direct contact with a known or suspected Ebola, including attending a funeral, staff should:
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Monitor their health / temperature for 21 days from leaving the affected country
If the staff member becomes unwell with symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, sore throat or rash within 21 days of coming back from Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone, they should stay at
home and immediately telephone 111 or 999 and explain that they have recently visited West Africa. These services
will initiate the appropriate care pathway
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They must keep in touch with us prior to return to work
Staff member will be able to return to work after 21 days
If healthcare work was undertaken abroad we will advise you on what to do.
For more information about the Ebola virus disease, see:
Government UK
NHS Choices: Ebola and Overview
Ebola virus disease: clinical management and guidance
Ebola virus disease: information for humanitarian aid workers