Global Alert and Response (GAR)

Infection control for viral haemorrhagic fevers in the African health care setting

Some of the infection control guidance in the this manual is no longer accurate. Until the revision of this document is published, you can access more recent guidance on infection control measures in the document Interim Infection Control Recommendations for Care of Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Filovirus (Ebola, Marburg) Haemorrhagic Fever, March 2008”. This latter document provides a summary of current infection control recommendations for provision of direct and non-direct care to patients with suspected or confirmed Filovirus haemorrhagic fever, including Ebola or Marburg haemorrhagic fevers.

WHO/EMC/ESR/98.2


Infection control for viral haemorrhagic fevers in the African health care setting

Introduction
Section 1: Use Standard Precautions with All Patients
Section 2: Identify Suspected Cases of WHF
Section 3: Isolate the Patient
Section 4: Wear Protective Clothing
Section 5: Disinfect Resuable Supplies and Equipment
Section 6: Dispose of Waste Safely
Section 7: Use Safe Burial Practices
Section 8: Mobilize Community Resources and Conduct Community Education
Section 9: Make Advance Preparations to Use VHF Isolation Precautions
Annex1: Standard Precautions for Hospital Infection Control
Annex 2: Specific Clinical Features for VHFs
Annex 3: Planning and Setting Up the Isolation Area
Annex 4: Adapting VHF Isolation Precautions for a Large Number of Patients
Annex 5: Making Protective Clothing
Annex 6: Requirements for Purchasing Protective Clothing
Annex 7: Disinfecting Water for Drinking, Cooking and Cleaning
Annex 8: Preparing Disinfectant Solutions by Using Other Chlorine Products
Annex 9: Making Supplies: Sharps Container, Incinerator, and Boot Remover
Annex 10: Sample Job-Aids and Posters for Use in the Health Facility
Annex 11: Laboratory Testing for VHFs
Annex 12: Skin Biopsy on Fatal Cases for Diagnosis of Ebola
Annex 13: Community Education Materials
Annex 14: Conducting In-Service Training for VHF Isloation Precautions
Annex 15: Local Resources for Community Mobilization and Education
Annex 16: International and Regional Contacts
References
Index

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