Ebola outbreak in west Africa

An outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) was first reported in March 2014 in Guinea, and has since involved three countries in west Africa: Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

EVD is a form of viral haemorrhagic disease. Most infections result from direct contact with the bodily fluids or secretions of infected patients, use of contaminated medical devices (including needles and syringes) and unprotected exposure to contaminated bodily fluids.

Although the likelihood of imported cases is low, frontline staff are reminded to remain vigilant for travellers who have visited areas affected and who develop unexplained illness:

• Individuals who have sudden onset of symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat and general malaise within 21 days of visiting affected areas should receive rapid medical attention, and be asked about potential risk factors and their recent travel.
• Viral haemorrhagic fever should be suspected in individuals with a fever [more than 38oC] or history of fever in the previous 24 hours who have visited an affected area within 21 days (or who have cared for or come into contact with body fluids or clinical specimens from a live or dead individual or animal known or strongly suspected to have viral haemorrhagic fever).
• In situations in which viral haemorrhagic fever is suspected, alternative diagnoses (such as malaria) should not be overlooked.

If you suspect a patient has Ebola, staff should wear the following PPE:

• gloves
• plastic apron
• fluid repellent surgical facemask
• disposable visor

Strict cleaning schedules should be adhered to and a full vehicle clean, along with uniform change, should be undertaken if there is contamination.  

For more information, please visit the Public Health England website.

Published on 3rd July 2014