Ebola Information from CDC

Eleven days after Ebola victim Thomas Eric Duncan died, and 9 days after one of his infected caregivers flew to Cleveland, the CDC has published guidance for healthcare facilities gearing up for other potential U.S. Ebola victims.

The document titled "When Caring for Suspect or Confirmed Patients with Ebola" appears on the CDC website under "What's New." The article provides steps which SHOULD be taken and which SHOULD NOT be taken when a PUI "patient under investigation" for Ebola presents to the facility. A checklist which incorporates and expands the guidance can be found here.

The CDC website provides much other information for healthcare workers dealing with Ebola patients including guidance for cleaning areas potentially contaminated with the virus.

Here are a few notations from the website which readers may find interesting:

Regarding what disinfectants are appropriate for use in the room of an Ebola or suspected Ebola patient...

Check the disinfectant's label for specific instructions for inactivation of any of the non-enveloped viruses (e.g., norovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus, poliovirus). [Enveloped vs. non-enveloped refers to whether or not there is a membrane coating the virus. Non-enveloped viruses are resistant to heat, acids, and drying.]

Regarding how long Ebola can live on non-porous surfaces...

Limited laboratory studies under favorable conditions indicate that Ebolavirus can remain viable on solid surfaces, with concentrations falling slowly over several days.

Ebola patients should be put into an isolation room with a private bathroom. Regarding whether it's safe for patients to use the bathroom...

Yes. Sanitary sewers may be used for the safe disposal of patient waste. Additionally, sewage handling processes (e.g., anaerobic digestion, composting, and disinfection) in the United States are designed to inactivate infectious agents.

Those working in the healthcare field... thank you and take care.

Posted by Note Taker