Ebola

Symptoms
People with Ebola disease may experience “dry” symptoms early in the course of illness. These symptoms may include fever, aches, pains, and fatigue. As the person becomes sicker, the illness typically progresses to “wet” symptoms and may include diarrhea, vomiting, and unexplained bleeding. Orthoebolaviruses can cause serious and often deadly disease, with a mortality rate as high as 80 to 90 percent.

Transmission
People can get Ebola disease through contact with the body fluids of an infected sick or dead person. Some people can get the disease from contact with an infected animal, like a bat or non-human primate but this is rare. Someone with Ebola disease may start getting sick 2 to 21 days after contact with an orthoebolavirus. On average, symptoms begin 8 to 10 days after exposure.

Prevention
If you live in or are traveling to regions where Ebola disease has been diagnosed or is suspected, steps to protect yourself include avoiding contact with body fluids or items that may have contacted body fluids such as clothes and bedding and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.

In the US and Canada, when an outbreak or public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) is declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), proactive measures to protect the health and safety of the public include visitor restrictions, enhanced health screening and traveler monitoring for individuals arriving from affected areas.

Cleaning and Disinfection

Diligent and frequent cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces is a core strategy for the prevention and control of all infections. Ensure environmental services staff wear recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect against direct skin and mucous membrane exposure to blood and body fluid contamination, and splashes or spatters that may occur during environmental cleaning and disinfection activities. Choice of PPE and appropriate donning and doffing procedures are crucial to safety when managing patients with Ebola disease. Follow specific instructions found at CDC Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment or Health Canada Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Ebola Disease in Acute Care Settings. Staff must also be instructed in the appropriate disposal of contaminated items/equipment.
Orthoebolaviruses are enveloped viruses, meaning they are relatively easy to inactivate with EPA or DIN registered disinfectants. In the US, refer to EPA’s List L Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against Ebola Virus or Disinfectants for Emerging Viral Pathogens (EVPs) List Q Tier 1 for enveloped viruses. In Canada, refer to Health Canada’s Surface Disinfectants for Emerging Viral Pathogens.
Diversey North American portfolio options are listed in the table below. For pathogen-specific efficacy questions, contact your disinfectant manufacturer.

Guidelines and Recommendations

Any hospital with suspected patients should follow CDC’s Recommendations for Hospitalized Patients with Known or Suspected Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever in Hospitals. https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/clinicians/cleaning/hospitals.html 

Follow procedures, per hospital policy and manufacturers’ instructions, for cleaning and/or disinfection of environmental surfaces, equipment, disposable textiles, disposable food utensils, dishware, and trays should be used and disposed of in Red Bio-medical waste bags.