On April 15, 2014, Malian Health Minister Ousmane Kone confirmed that the ten samples taken from suspected Ebola cases in Mali tested negative for the Ebola virus. The samples were tested by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in collaboration with the Malian Ministry of Health. The U.S. Embassy encourages citizens to remain vigilant and practice the basic precautionary measures outlined below. The risk to the general population, and U.S. citizens in particular, remains low.
While Ebola is a dangerous virus, we remind the community that the risk of contracting the infection is minimal if basic precautionary measures are followed. Ebola is not spread by respiratory secretions or casual contact like the flu. It requires direct contact with the bodily fluids of someone severely ill with – or recently deceased from – the disease, or by handling or eating undercooked, contaminated bush meat, especially bats, monkeys, gorillas, and some antelope.
The U.S. Embassy continues operations as normal and is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with local, national, and international partners. Our embassies in neighboring countries including Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Sierra Leone are collectively tracking the disease and sharing information as it becomes available.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has not recommended any travel or trade restrictions. We urge you to wash your hands frequently, protect yourself if you are a healthcare worker, and avoid eating 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 at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For more information on Ebola hemorrhagic fever, please visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola.
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 Affairs website 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 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 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 a tconsularbamako@state.gov. 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.
