Association between travel and Ebola disease: an overview

Abstract

The outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa has reminded public health authorities and international health agencies that, despite setting so many health-related goals, in reality there is much disparity in the health standards of people living in different parts of the world. Among multiple parameters attributed in increasing the incidence of the disease, migration and travel plays a crucial role. Two possible explanations — international travel of infectious cases or contacts and movement of people across land borders in affected nations — have been proposed to suggest the contribution of travel/migration in the current outbreak. In order to address this international emergency, the World Health Organization and concerned stakeholders have produced a package of interventions to reduce the caseload in affected nations. To conclude, orientation of people regarding different preventive measures at times of travel and preparedness from authorities can significantly reduce the risk of transmission of Ebola disease across international borders.