Ebola Q&A – The impact on businesses

Ensuring an organisation is protected from the Ebola epidemic is a key concern for any risk manager whose business operates overseas or is involved in international travel. Medical director at International SOS and Ebola response planning expert Dr Jonathan O’Keeffe, gives advice on what businesses should being doing.

How is the Ebola outbreak affecting business travellers?

Do we need to postpone a new project in West Africa for another six months? Can I get infected on a plane when I sit next to someone from Liberia or Nigeria? How can organisations prepare and protect business travellers travelling to or already in West Africa?

These are just examples of some of the pressing issues that companies doing business in West Africa face today.

West Africa is undergoing the largest outbreak of Ebola in history. The death toll has now risen to over 5,000 and business travellers to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are advised to defer non-essential travel. Travel to other countries in West Africa may continue without restriction but business travellers should always follow the most up-to-date information.

How great is the risk that a business traveller becomes infected?
The chance that a business traveller gets infected by Ebola is very small. A person can only get infected when he or she has had direct contact with the body fluid of an ill or symptomatic person. Transmission of the virus is not airborne as with influenza or by mosquito as with malaria. The greater risk to travellers is the development of another illness or medical condition that may require medical treatment currently unavailable in these countries. Equally, access to normal medical evacuation services may be restricted due to a regulation imposed on movement by the receiving country on people coming from an Ebola-affected country.

How can travellers protect themselves from this virus?

Try first to avoid areas where the virus is present. Ask yourself first if the journey is required.  You should have no direct contact with people who are sick. Avoid funerals, since an infected corpse can still transmit the virus. Also avoid overcrowded buses, contact with wild animals and make sure you practice good hand hygiene. Address all ongoing medical issues before you travel so as to avoid needing to attend hospitals or clinics.  We also advise travellers not to forget to take their regular vaccinations and malaria pills. Contact your medical assistance provider if you find yourself unwell to identify an appropriate local medical facility.

Why do you specifically talk about malaria?
The world's focus is on Ebola, but malaria should certainly not be forgotten. Malaria is common and is a medical emergency until proven otherwise. The first flu-like symptoms of the Ebola virus are similar to those of malaria.  As a result, it may be that a malaria patient cannot leave a country, because it is thought that he has Ebola. It may become increasingly difficult to treat malaria patients as the health infrastructure in Ebola-affected countries is under severe strain.

How can an employer comply with ‘Duty of Care’ during this outbreak for its business travellers?

We advise not to travel to Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone and to evacuate all non-essential staff. As an employer you need to develop your infectious disease response policy to mitigate/minimise risk for your employees. Consider developing an Ebola response plan to handle a suspect case. Make sure you have a crisis management team, identify the essential staff and educate your business travellers and expatriates. Communicate and educate your team and be well prepared - this way you will show your employees that you care about their wellbeing.

Isn’t it better not to travel?
We advise limiting non-essential travel to these countries but understand some organisations will continue to operate. The important thing is for companies to understand the risks, how to mitigate them and make sure their employees are well prepared.

The Airmic Travel SIG will be hosting an event on Ebola on 14 November: “Ebola in West Africa: The impact on your business – latest update and advice” with Dr Dick Hooper. More information can be found on the Airmic website. Airmic will also be hosting an Airmic Live event on Ebola on 25 November; more details to follow. 

InternationalSOS has launched an ebola app for the latest news, developments and advice on ebola. Download the app here.

Dr Jonathan O'Keeffe