The Department of Health has warned travellers to take care following a series of international health threats which have not reached Bermudian shores.

In a statement released today, the department made note of the recent outbreaks of Ebola in West Africa, MERS-CoV in the Arabian Peninsula and Chikungunya in the Caribbean, all of which have been deemed diseases of significant public health interest by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“The Department wishes to direct potential travellers to the The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website where they can learn what steps to take if they are planning on travelling to, or returning from a region where there is a current outbreak,” the statement said.

WHO has advised against all non-essential travel to Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone due to the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, which has already claimed thousands of lives in the region.

Those who have recently travelled to the region should watch for fever, headaches and body aches in the next three weeks. And they have been advised to take their temperature every morning and evening, and watch for symptoms of Ebola which include muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, severe weakness, fatigue, or unexplained bleeding or bruising.

MERS-CoV is said to be a lesser risk to visitors to the Arabian Peninsula but travellers are advised to wash their hands frequently, avoid touching their faces and avoid contact with sick people. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Chikungunya, which has spread through several Caribbean islands through mosquito bites, can be prevented by using insect repellent. Those who have recently visited the region should look out for fever, joint pain or rash as symptoms in the following two weeks.

The Department of Health said it continues to monitor for these diseases in Bermuda, but to-date have not seen any confirmed cases on the Island.