Since summer 2018, a new ebola outbreak has been reported in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). More than 1.200 people already died during the last 10 months.

The authorities now fear that the epidemic might spread to neighbouring countries (Rwanda and Uganda) and reach major cities like Goma, Kigali, Entebbe and Kampala. Some of the passengers travelling via Kinshasa (another b.air destination) might also have been infected during a stay in the Eastern provinces of DRC. You can find here some information about this outbreak from the World Health Organisation and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

We would like to remind you some facts about ebola and precautions that must taken to prevent infection by the virus:

• Transmission of the virus occurs by direct contact with blood or body fluids (sweat, saliva, tears, feces, urine, vomit, sperm…) of a sick person or with objects that have been contaminated by his/her infected secretions. Even if there is no airborne transmission of the virus, wearing a mask will protect you from postilions.
• During incubation (2 to 21 days), the virus is multiplicating in the blood. Early symptoms are sudden fever, chills, muscle pain and headache. At that moment, only the blood of the patient is contagious. Other body fluids become contagious when new symptoms appear: vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, rash, bleeding.
• Prevention measures include good hygiene (wash your hands regularly), avoiding contact with infected persons, avoiding contact with the body and apparel of deceased persons, avoiding contact with animals (especially bats and monkeys, even dead) and not eating “bushmeat”.
• We remind you that the acceptance of any sick passenger is subject to prior approval of the company medical department (refer to your OM Part A). Boarding will be denied to any sick passenger not in possession of such an authorization or submitting a medical certificate with too short notice to obtain the authorization from the company medical department.
• The Commander of an aircraft with pax suffering from an infectious disease (fever is a typical symptom of infectious disease) must contact the airport medical or health authorities upon arrival. Nobody shall be permitted to board or disembark the aircraft or attempt to offload cargo or catering without the authorization of the airport medical or health authorities.

We also invite you to read IFALPA briefing for pilots on the Ebola virus. It dates back from the first outbreak (2014), but precautionary measures and symptomes of the disease are still up-to-date.

Best regards,

BeCA Executive Committee