PORTLAND, Oregon. – Oregon public health officials said on Thursday that they are monitoring four people who have recently visited countries in West Africa, Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The regions of each of these countries are experiencing outbreaks of the Ebola virus disease.
“The risk to people in Oregon is low,” said the Oregon Health Authority in Thursday’s announcement, which continues in full below:
OHA and local public health departments have been in contact with these individuals, who are considered “people under monitoring”, since they arrived in the state in early March. The purpose of this contact is to determine the risk, if any, of exposure to Ebola and to ensure your safety, as well as the safety of your families and the community.
“We want to make sure that these individuals have the support they need to monitor their health, stay in touch with public health authorities, and get safe help with medical services, if applicable,” said Richard Leman, MD, Medical Director Health Safety, preparedness and response in the Public Health Division of OHA.
On Wednesday, Guinea reported 18 cases of Ebola and nine Ebola-related deaths. The outbreak in Guinea is centered on the Nzérékoré Prefecture, which is in the south of the country, close to the border with Liberia.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 12 cases of Ebola and six Ebola-related deaths. The outbreak in the DRC is in the province of North Kivu, which is in the eastern part of the country, near the border with Uganda. Outbreaks are limited to small areas in each country and not to large population centers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued Level 3 travel warnings to affected regions in both countries, advising people to avoid non-essential travel there.
As of March 4, the CDC has required all airlines to provide contact information for all travelers to the USA who have been to Guinea or the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the past 21 days – the longest incubation period known for the ebola.
Travelers to the USA who have been to affected countries are routed through six international airports: Dulles in Washington, DC; John F. Kennedy in Queens, NY; Newark Liberty in Newark, NJ; O’Hare in Chicago, IL; Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, GA; and LAX in Los Angeles, CA.
Upon arrival, they are interviewed to determine if they are symptomatic and to confirm their contact information. If they are symptomatic, they will receive medical evaluation.
The CDC shares information for travelers from affected regions whose itineraries include Oregon. In this way, public health authorities can contact these travelers and ensure that they know the symptoms to be observed and how to receive immediate medical evaluation if they get sick with symptoms consistent with Ebola.
OHA and local public health officials are also contacting international non-governmental organizations with services in affected countries to request advance notice for any volunteers traveling to Oregon after recent work in these areas.
In addition, OHA and local public health officials are reaching out to community organizations in Oregon to assist people under monitoring with access to languages and other support services.
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