Ebola Virus Disease Response

Request for MAF to Transport Ebola Virus Disease Samples

1. Request for the transport of suspected Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) samples should be notified to the MAF Operations Manager by phone, +211 922680324 with a follow-up email sent to [email protected] with [email protected]; [email protected] on copy.  

The originator must provide the following information when raising a request:

• Location of sample
• Name and contact phone number sender 

• Time that the sample will be ready for the transfer

  ** Please note: MAF cannot carry dry ice on our aircraft. 

2. The customer will then complete the Freight Booking Form (FBF) and Shippers Declaration form as quickly as possible, (can be downloaded below) and email the forms to [email protected]. 
    
3. Following receipt of the request, MAF will provide feedback to WHO with:

• Estimated time of arrival (ETA) of flight
• Aircraft registration 
• The name and telephone contact for the MAF pilot or crew member who will act as the Dangerous Goods shipper/receiver. 

4. Guidelines for Dangerous Goods (Infectious Substances)   

   Packaging: The sample must be packed in accordance with the instructions provided in the diagram below and with correct labelling. Samples must be correctly packed and labelled without exception; otherwise, the sample will not be collected by the aircrew. 

Full details are available and referenced in WHO Guidance on Regulations for the Transport of Infectious Substances, Addendum 1 https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240089525  

*Where possible, documentation and photos of the package(s) should be sent to MAF via email or WhatsApp ahead of the flight.

Amount and volume of samples to be carried on the MAF aircraft is as follows:  

• Passenger aircraft:  The maximum sample quantity per box is 50 mL or 50 g. There is no limit to the number of packages. 
• Cargo only aircraft: The maximum sample per package permitted on the aircraft is 4 litres or 4 kg. There is no limit to the number of packages specified.

5. The flight will be dispatched by MAF, with the ETA communicated by the Operations Manager (+211 922680324) or Flight Following (+211 922680341).
6. On arrival at the airstrip, the package and documents will be checked by a qualified MAF DG pilot or crew member against the Dangerous Goods Regulations. Where a DG specialist is not available to do the acceptance in the field, remote acceptance process will be done.  
7. Should a package or the associated documentation fail the acceptance procedure:
   a.  If the shipper is present and able to rectify the issue, we can complete the acceptance and ship the consignment.
   b. If the shipper is present but is not able to rectify the issue, we reject the consignment
   c. If the shipper is not present and a DG-qualified MAF staff member is able to rectify the issue on behalf of the shipper, a second DG-qualified MAF staff member must perform the acceptance before we can ship the consignment.
   d. If the shipper is not present and a DG-qualified MAF staff member is not able to rectify the issue on behalf of the shipper, we reject the consignment.
8. On arrival of the aircraft at Juba International Airport, samples should be received at the aircraft or the MAF Office. The ETA will be communicated by MAF.

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