Health Board makes plans as Ebola spreads abroad

Wanganui medical officer of health Patrick O'Connor.

Whanganui District Health Board has a plan in place for an Ebola outbreak.

Since March 22, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed 1069 confirmed, probable and suspected Ebola deaths in West Africa up to August 11.

The outbreak began in Guinea and has since spread to Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.

Wanganui medical officer of health Patrick O'Connor said while the risk of the virus reaching New Zealand was low, the Ministry of Health had forwarded information to doctors.

"If Ebola does spread from Africa, then Wanganui is very unlikely to be the place where a sentinel case appears," Mr O'Connor said.

"Nonetheless, practitioners are advised to ask about travel history for anyone they see who has sudden onset of fever.

"If the person has travelled from affected countries in West Africa within 21 days of onset, then the case will be notified to Public Health and full infection control procedures will be put in place."

Further work was being done at a national level to clarify the process for laboratory diagnosis of the disease, he said.

Ebola is a severe illness with a 90 per cent fatality rate. The infection is caught by direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected animals or people.

Advice to the general public and health professionals is available and regularly updated on the Ministry of Health's website, and up-to-date information for travellers is also available at safetravel.govt.nz.

The Ministry of Health advises any traveller who feels unwell after returning home to call Healthline on 0800611116 or phone their GP or hospital prior to visiting.