FYI - Here is what the U.S. Embassy sent to U.S. citizens living in Sierra Leone. I am the vice president of a non-profit corporation that handles the financial and logistical support for missionaries serving in a remote gold mining village in Sierra Leone, West Africa. The info I am getting from them is that the embassy is wildly optimistic in their communications. Part of what I do is send them updated information on this and other events (wars, international tensions, Islamic actions, and other major events) that could impact them. Depending on the U.S. embassy or the SL government for information just doesn't cut it. The government there hides things that are politically inconvenient or embarrassing, just as they do here. Anyway, here is what they received from the embassy:
U.S. Embassy Freetown, Sierra Leone
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Update on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)
June 13, 2014
This is an update to the notice of June 6, 2014, in which we alerted U.S. citizens to the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Sierra Leone. As of June 13, there are 43 confirmed Ebola cases with 16 fatalities. All of these cases can be traced back to contact with individuals in Kailahun District, near the Guinea border.
The Government of Sierra Leone is implementing new surveillance, detection, reporting, and prevention measures as part of a more robust national strategy in addressing the outbreak of the EVD.
A number of these measures only apply to Kailahun District, the epicenter of the EVD outbreak:
1. Passengers entering and leaving Kailahun District will be screened at health checkpoints.
2. All schools will be closed in Kailahun District. Alternate arrangements are being made for students taking the upcoming National Basic Education Examination (BECE).
3. Public gatherings will be prohibited. This includes gatherings at cinemas, cultural activities, and night clubs.
Other measures will apply across the country:
1. Cross-border trade fairs (known locally as “Lumors”) will be temporarily closed.
2. Any person with symptoms of EVD must be reported to the appropriate community health professional.
3. All deaths must be reported and certified by an authorized health professional prior to burial.
4. All EVD related deaths must be buried at the place of occurrence under the supervision of health personnel.
Contracting the virus can be avoided through practicing good preventative measures. The virus is easily killed by contact with soap, bleach, sunlight, or drying. You will not contract EVD if you are not in contact with the body fluids of someone who is ill with EVD or the corpse of someone who has died of EVD. Also avoid bat and primate (bush) meat as it can transmit EVD to humans.
The U.S. Embassy is open for business as usual, including the consular section.
For more information:
· Continue to visit the U.S. Embassy Freetown website and Facebook page for regular updates.
· Visit the World Health Organization website.
· Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Sierra Leone enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Contact the U.S. embassy for up-to-date information on travel restrictions by visiting the U.S. Embassy Freetown website. You can also get global updates at the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information. If you don't have internet access, you can get current information on safety and security by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States, or for callers from other countries, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
The U.S. Embassy in Freetown is located at Leicester Square, Regent. If you have questions or concerns about safety or related issues, contact the consular section at the Embassy by sending an email to You are not allowed to view links.
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