Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) level 2 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donning and doffing procedure | SA Health (2024)

FAQs

What PPE is needed for Ebola patients? ›

If ebolavirus contamination is known or suspected, at minimum, a long-sleeved, closed-front gown, disposable nitrile or powder-free latex gloves, eye protection (goggles or face shield), and a NIOSH-certified N-95, fit-tested respirator should be worn.

These usually consist of standard precautions: gloves, mask, gown. If it is blood or airborne high infections, will include: Face protection, goggles and mask or faceshield, gloves, gown or coverall, head cover, rubber boots.

Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). The BBP standard requires employers to, among other things, implement an Exposure Control Plan (ECP) and provide appropriate personal protective equipment when workers may be occupationally exposed to human blood or other potentially infectious materials.

The actual risk to any one person depends on their activities in an Ebola disease-affected area and whether they take appropriate precautions to prevent infection. These precautions include wearing gloves, gowns and other personal protective equipment.

The CDC guidance recommends PAPRs and N95 filtering facepiece respirators as these are the types of respiratory protection most commonly used in U.S. hospitals and because both of these options have been used to safely care for patients with Ebola in the U.S. EHMRs with an N95 filtration efficiency or higher are an ...

It can also be spread on objects or surfaces contaminated by body fluids of an infected person, for example clothing or bedding of an ill person that have not been cleaned. Ebola can only be spread from one person to another when someone has symptoms. Ebola is not spread through air, food, or water.

Ebolaviruses are highly transmissible by direct contact with the blood (e.g. through mucous membranes or broken skin), or other bodily fluids (e.g. saliva, urine or vomit) of infected people, their dead bodies, or any surfaces and materials soiled by infectious fluids [5].

Avoid contact with body fluids and tissues of animals (dead or alive) that could have Ebola. Don't eat bush meat (the meat of wild animals). If you've recently returned from travel to a place where there's an Ebola outbreak, monitor yourself for symptoms for 21 days. Get medical care right away if you develop symptoms.

The sequence for removing PPE is intended to limit opportunities for self-contamination. Sequence of removal: (1) Gloves, (2) Gown, (3) Face shield or goggles, (4) Mask or respirator*.

If you see a patient who has had a potential exposure to the Ebola virus within the past 21 days, follow these procedures: Isolate the patient in a room with the door closed. Implement standard, contact, and droplet precautions. Conduct a risk assessment to determine if the patient has had a high-risk exposure.

Is Ebola a biohazard? ›

Biohazard Level 4 usually includes dangerous viruses like Ebola, Marburg virus, Lassa fever, Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, and many other hemorrhagic viruses found in the tropics.

Treatment for Ebola

There's currently no licensed treatment or vaccine for Ebola. Potential new vaccines and drug therapies are being developed and tested. Any area affected by an outbreak should be immediately quarantined, and people confirmed to have the infection should be treated in isolation in intensive care.

It includes barriers for head, nose, mouth, eyes, hands, and feet, as well as full body protection. All PPEs must be fluid-resistant, impermeable, and protect against contamination from all body fluids, including blood, or viral contaminated patient-used equipment.

Ebola Virus Recovery

After recovering from Ebola, you may have body aches and weakness for weeks or months. Ebola can last in sem*n for at least three months after recovery. A man should use a condom or not have sex. Women should not breastfeed until talking with their doctor.

Some people, depending on the type of possible contact to Ebola virus, may also need to be quarantined to minimize the risk of spread of Ebola if they develop symptoms.

Personal protective equipment may include items such as gloves, safety glasses and shoes, earplugs or muffs, hard hats, respirators, or coveralls, vests and full body suits.

Use protective equipment (such as a mask, goggles, apron and gloves) when caring for someone with Ebola. Avoid touching any of their body fluids and wash your hands after contact, even if you wear gloves.

The Unit utilizes the highest level of HEPA Type A filtration that is 99.99% effective at eliminating airborne particles down to 0.3 microns in size. Additionally, all isolation room air is treated with germicidal ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which has demonstrated effectiveness at inactivating the Ebola virus.