Headlines - Ebola Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) Outbreak in West Africa

Health authorities in the Republic of Guinea announced on March 21, 2014, that there have been 49 cases of viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF), including 29 deaths, in forested areas (the prefectures of Guéckédou, Macenta, and Kissidougou) and in Conakry since February 9, 2014. Samples collected from 7 cases were sent to the National Reference Center for VHF, which confirmed on March 23, 2014, that 6 of them tested positive for the Ebola virus via RT-PCR. A notification was sent to the WHO. Six cases (including 5 deaths) occurring near the Guinean border were also reported on March 24, 2014, by Liberian authorities. Cases have also reportedly been reported in Sierra Leone, near the Guinean border. The risk of an imported case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) becoming symptomatic in France within 3 weeks of return is considered low but cannot be completely ruled out.