Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

  On 17^th July 2019 the World Health Organisation declared the Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The current outbreak is well inland and away from ports. This outbreak has been assessed (July 2019) as presenting a negligible to very low risk to the UK public. We will continue to monitor WHO and UK assessments and advice. WHO have made it clear that borders should remain open and that the PHEIC is not used as an excuse to impose travel or trade restrictions. Action required from Shipping Agents If vessels arriving at Felixstowe have called at seaports in any of the following countries please complete a Maritime Declaration of Health and submit it to port.health@scpha.gov.uk

• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Angola
• Republic of Congo
• Gabon
• Equatorial Guinea
• Cameroon

Action required from Forwarding Agents/Importers If you are dealing with the import of foodstuffs/feedstuffs from the Democratic Republic of Congo please notify Port Health by sending copies of commercial documents (bill of lading, invoice, packing list) for each consignment to port.health@scpha.gov.uk