When Caring for Patients Under Investigation (PUIs) or Patients with Confirmed Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)
Think Ebola: Early recognition is critical for infection control:
Think Ebola when you approach a patient. Start the steps for basic infection control before assessing the patient for risks.
- Always use standard precautions.
- If there are concerns that the patient could meet the criteria for Ebola, immediately separate the patient from others.
Identify
Assess your patient for
- International travel
OR
- Contact with someone with EVD.
AND
- Fever
- Other symptoms are
- Severe headache
- Muscle pain
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal (stomach) pain
- Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising)
- If the patient has both exposure and symptoms, immediately separate the patient and inform others (see INFORM).
Isolate
If assessment indicates possible Ebola virus infection, take action.
- Isolate the patient in a private room with a private bathroom or covered, bedside commode and close the door.
- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Limit the healthcare personnel who enter the room.
- Keep a log of everyone who enters and leaves the patient’s room.
- Consider alternative diagnoses, and evaluate appropriately.
- Perform only necessary tests and procedures.
- Avoid aerosol-generating procedures.
- Follow CDC guidelines for cleaning, disinfecting, and managing waste.
Inform
Alert others, including public health authorities.
- Notify your facility’s infection control program and other appropriate staff.
- Contact your state or local public health authorities.
- Consult with state or local public health authorities about testing for EVD.
- See list of state and local health department numbers.
