U.S. Embassy Freetown, Sierra Leone
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Update on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)
July 15, 2014
This is an update to the notice of June 13, 2014, in which we alerted U.S. citizens to the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Sierra Leone. As of July 15, there are 369 confirmed Ebola cases with 118 confirmed fatalities. Sixty individuals have survived. All of these cases can be traced back to contact with individuals in Kailahun District, near the Guinea border.
The Government of Sierra Leone established an Emergency Operations Center with the World Health Organization. U.S. government experts are assisting the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and the WHO efforts. Please be aware that surveillance, detection, reporting, and prevention measures are critical to ending the outbreak and cooperate with local authorities implementing them. The Government of Sierra Leone also reminded the public that harboring a suspected Ebola case is a crime.
There are increased checkpoints in affected districts, especially Kailahun District, the epicenter of the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak, and Kenema and Bo.
Passengers entering and leaving affected areas will be screened at health checkpoints.
All schools will be closed in Kailahun District. Alternate arrangements are being made for students taking the upcoming National Basic Education Examination (BECE).
Public gatherings will be prohibited. This includes gatherings at cinemas, cultural activities, night clubs, and other public gatherings.
Other measures will apply across the country:
Cross-border trade fairs (known locally as “Lumors”) will be temporarily closed.
Any person with symptoms of EVD must be reported to the appropriate community health professional.
All deaths must be reported and certified by an authorized health professional prior to burial.
All EVD related deaths must be buried at the place of occurrence under the supervision of health personnel.
As a reminder to all U.S. citizens, 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) at travel.state.gov. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Regularly monitor the State Department's website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Sierra Leone. For additional information, refer to the “Traveler’s Checklist” on the State Department’s website.
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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