However, the association reveals that it is a "worrying situation" at the international level.

"The risk is low for Portugal and for countries outside that endemic zone," the president of the ANMSP told Lusa, on the day the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Committee meets to issue temporary recommendations to its member states, following the outbreak that is believed to have caused 130 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in recent weeks.

According to Bernardo Gomes, the impact is expected to be "quite substantial" in the region affected by the outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, for which there is still no specific treatment or licensed vaccine.

“For countries that are not nearby, it will be necessary to revisit preparedness to eventually deal with any cases, but the potential for overall spread is low,” stressed the expert, who admits that initial estimates of the size of the outbreak “may be below reality” due to testing difficulties and the characteristics of the virus itself.

Advising travellers

Bernardo Gomes also stressed that the “main focus” in Portugal should be on advising travellers to the region, including workers, and, in general, on revisiting the country's preparedness and response plans.

The doctor also considered that international support and investment will be needed to contain the virus's transmission in affected African countries as quickly as possible, reiterating that, although it is necessary to “maintain some vigilance,” the “risk is not relevant at the moment” for Portugal.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommended that Portuguese citizens avoid “non-essential travel” to the DRC and take “exceptional precautions and safety measures” if it is absolutely necessary to travel to the country.

The Directorate-General of Health (DGS) told Lusa that it has reinforced measures to detect early potential cases imported from Ebola-affected areas, but stressed that the risk of infection is very low in Europe.

The DGS maintains in force a guideline on Ebola from 2019, when an outbreak of the disease was also recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo.