Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Travel Alert for Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to notify travelers to exercise a high degree of caution and take precautionary measures, avoid contact with patients or visit health care facilitxies. A total of 24 Ebola virus infected cases have been reported, and the other 80 contacts are being follow-up in DRC as of 26 Aug.

Between 28 July and 18 August 2014, a total of 24 cases, including 13 deaths, have been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by DRC. The other 11 cases are currently treated in isolation centers. Those cases have no history of travel to the Ebola virus disease (EVD)-affected countries in West Africa (Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, or Sierra Leone) or history of contact with individuals from the affected areas. It is believed that the outbreak in DRC is unrelated to the ongoing outbreak in West Africa. This is the seventh outbreak of EVD in DRC since 1976. Based on the uncertainty of the outbreak and the possibility of increasing cases in DRC, the travel alert was issued.

Travel notices are designed to inform travelers and clinicians about current health issues related to specific destinations. There are three levels: watch, alert and warning; which describe both levels of risk for the traveler and recommend precautionary measures to be taken at each level of risk. Taiwan CDC once again reminds travelers returning from Ebola virus affected areas to monitor their health for 21 days upon arrival in Taiwan. If any symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea or rash develop, they should call the toll-free hotline 1922 (or 0800-001922) to seek medical attention and inform the doctor of any recent travel and exposure. In addition, if a doctor diagnoses a suspected case, he/she should notify the health authorities within 24 hours and treat the patient in an isolation ward. The health care workers who care for the suspected cases should take necessary precautionary measures and monitor their health for 21 days.