The U.S. Embassy in Mali is issuing this message in response to the confirmed cases of Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) caused by the Ebola virus in Guinea, and suspected cases in Sierra Leone and Liberia. The U.S. Embassy assesses our risk as low at this time.
The U.S. Embassy continues to monitor the situation closely with our health partners including the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. The embassy and American communities in both Mali and Guinea continue to function normally without any negative health impact. At this point, the WHO has not recommended any travel restrictions, but we urge you to exercise sound judgment with regard to travel, wash your hands frequently, and protect yourself if you are a healthcare worker.
While Ebola is a dangerous virus, there are a few factors that would make an individual’s risk of contracting the disease negligible. Ebola is not spread by casual contact like the flu. It requires direct contact with the body fluids of someone severely ill with – or recently deceased from – the disease, or by eating contaminated bush meat.
To obtain Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel notices, call the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) from within the United States, or 1-404-639-3534 from overseas, or visit the CDC website. For more information on Ebola hemorrhagic fever, please visit the CDC website.
We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Mali despite the Travel Warning enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you do not have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairswebsite where you can find the current Worldwide Caution and travel information, including the Travel Warning for Mali, and Country Specific Information. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.
In addition to information on the internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, from other countries, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday, Eastern Time (except U.S. federal holidays).
The U.S. Embassy in Bamako is located at ACI 2000, Rue 243 Porte 297. The Consular Section can be contacted at +223 2070 2505, or via email. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, please contact the Embassy Duty Officer via the Marine Guard at +223 2070 2301 or 2070 2302.
