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Before Departure: Ebola Mission

You are preparing to depart on an Ebola mission. This page contains essential information to ensure you are prepared before departure. Two principles apply throughout: be in good health and stay in good health.

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Mandatory Pre-departure Checklist for Ebola Mission

Complete a new Pre-departure medical exam

Complete Pre-departure Health Questionnaire

Signed "Health informed consent and 21day planning" form

Attend mandatory Collective Ebola briefings by TF21

Update Vaccinations

Take malaria prophylaxis

#1. HEALTH PREPARATION

Before any Ebola mission, confirm that your health status is compatible with a demanding emergency deployment.

Malaria prophylaxis prescription

  • Malaria prophylaxis (Malarone, Doxycycline, or Mefloquine) is mandatory, no exceptions, including for staff from malaria-endemic countries.
  • Purchase enough to cover your first weeks on mission and begin treatment one day before departure.
  • If you are taking Mefloquine, start at least 7 days before departure. If you are taking Malarone or Doxycycline start at least one day before departure..

Up-to-date vaccinations

  • Check your vaccination status (recommended list: HealthTravel.ch) and complete any boosters required. 
  • Injections must be administered at least 10 days before departure to avoid post-vaccination fever in the field (for example, the fever peak following measles vaccination can occur up to 10 days after administration). 
  • If you are not up to date, postpone your departure until you are.

Chronic illness assessment

  • If you have a chronic condition, ensure you have completed the Pre-Departure Health Questionnaire and discussed the feasibility of this mission with the Staff Health Unit (SHU).
  • Ensure you have a prescription for all necessary medications for the full duration of your mission (plus 2 months extra).
  • MSF does not supply medication for chronic conditions.

Mosquito repellent

  • Carry and use mosquito repellent daily throughout your mission to protect against malaria, dengue, and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Pregnancy check

  • Confirm you are not pregnant before departure. Pregnancy is not compatible with an Ebola mission.   

No open wounds

  • If you develop a wound between accepting your post and departing, postpone your departure until it is fully healed and closed.

Take your time  

  • Take time to understand the realities of the mission and consider how you will cope with the challenges you may face. Make sure you have the information you need and do not hesitate to ask questions; information helps reduce uncertainty and can increase your sense of confidence and preparedness. Reflect on your reasons for joining the mission and the values that drive your commitment.   

Communicate with your loved ones

  • Before leaving, take time to prepare your family and close friends for your deployment. Explain the mission context, share information about Ebola if needed, and discuss how and when you will be able to communicate. Setting realistic expectations and talking about your return in advance can help maintain connection and reduce concerns on both sides throughout the mission. 

If you become ill between accepting your post and departing 

  • Inform the FMR and Staff Health Unit, and consider delaying your departure.

#2. MANDATORY DOCUMENTS 

The following documents must be completed and submitted before you leave:

1. Medical Fitness Certificate 

A medical clearance from the Staff Health Unit is required for departure on the Ebola mission or field visit.

To obtain this, all Staff being deployed to an Ebola mission are required to undergo a new medical examination and provide an updated Medical Fitness Certificate. 

FVD Mission: Your Health Information

Read the Ebola TF21 staff health briefing document. It contains the same information as this site, but some may prefer to download and print.

3. mental health info ebola       

Read the Ebola TF21 staff health psy briefing document on stress management in an Ebola mission. It contains the same information as this site, but some may prefer to download and print.

4. Click to register                    

Register and attend the mandatory collective briefings for Ebola mission organised by TF21. 

5. Read Health Informed Consent

This copy of the Informed Consent is for you to read and reflect. You will be asked to sign it in Step 6.

6. Sign  Your HeAlth Informed consent and 21 day planning Form

Complete the  Informed Consent and 21 day Planning Form. Once completed, you will be contacted by a TF21 member to agree where your post mission 21-day observation period will occur.