WHO assesses the risk of the epidemic as high at the national and regional levels, and low at the global level (including Switzerland and EU/EEW).

The outbreak was first detected in a remote and conflict-affected area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. There are significant uncertainties to the true number of infected persons and geographic spread associated with this event at the present time. In addition, there is limited understanding of the epidemiological links with known or suspected cases.

People visiting affected areas in D.R. Congo and Uganda should follow these precautions:

General preventive measures:

• Wash hands regularly and carefully using soap and water (or alcohol gel if soap is unavailable).
  
• Avoid contact with sick people who have symptoms, such as fever, muscle pain, and rash.
  
• Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids.
  
• Avoid visiting healthcare facilities in the filovirus-affected areas for nonurgent medical care or non-medical reasons.
  
• Avoid contact with dead bodies or items that have been in contact with dead bodies, participating in funeral or burial rituals, or attending a funeral or burial. 
  
• Avoid handling, cooking, or eating bush/wild meat (meat of wild/feral mammals killed for food).
  
• Wash and peel fruit and vegetables before consumption.
  
• Avoid visiting mines or bat caves and contact with all wild animals; alive or dead, particularly bats.
  
• If visiting mines or caves inhabited by fruit bat colonies, wear gloves and other appropriate protective clothing, including masks and eye protection.
  
• Practice safer sex.
  

Of note: there is currently no licensed vaccine or specific treatment against Ebola diseased caused by Bundibugyo virus. For humanitarian missions, consultation with a travel medicine specialist is recommended.

While in the outbreak area and for 21 days after leaving:

• Watch for symptoms.
  
• Follow quarantine measures by your local health authorities if applicable.
  

! In case of symptoms (during your stay in North-eastern D.R. Congo (province of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu) and /or Uganda, especially the affected area, or until 21 days after leaving) such as fever >38° C:

• Separate yourself from others (isolate) immediately.
  
• Do not travel.
  
• Contact by phone local health authorities or a healthcare facility for advice (e.g. tropical institute or travel clinic or university hospital infectious disease unit).
  
• Always state that you may have had a possible exposure to Ebola (incubation period: 2-21 days). 
• As soon as you know that you are NOT a suspected case, go to a tropical / travel clinic, or to the hospital if severe, to get a malaria test (and other investigations If necessary).

Swiss recommendation: Cases should be suspected (see case definition of FOPH) in persons with a history of stay in the last 21 days in North-eastern D.R. Congo (province of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu) and/or Uganda AND a high-risk exposure*; such cases should be reported to the Cantonal Physician and Swiss Federal Office of Public Health within 2 hours.

*High-risk exposure includes participation in local funerals; contact with a sick patient at home, during transport, or in a healthcare facility; or attendance at a local healthcare facility for care.