Effective yesterday, Dec. 29, 2015, state and local public health officials have discontinued active monitoring of travelers from Guinea arriving in North Carolina in light of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration that Guinea is free from Ebola. Active monitoring was discontinued for travelers from Liberia on June 17, 2015 and for travelers from Sierra Leone on Nov. 10, 2015.
Health care providers should continue to screen patients for recent international travel. A thorough travel history is essential to identify potential exposures to diseases of concern globally and to direct appropriate laboratory and diagnostic testing. The importance of obtaining a travel history has been reaffirmed by recent and ongoing travel-associated outbreaks of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), measles, avian influenza, and other emerging infections. The North Carolina Division of Public Health encourages health care providers and facilities to post notices in waiting rooms and triage areas encouraging patients to report recent international travel. Examples are available in English, Spanish and French at http://www.ncdhhs.gov/ebola.
Read the NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health memo to learn more.
