FAQs
Is solid waste from rooms where clinically stable PUIs (patients that have no bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) are housed treated as medical waste or regular solid waste?
Because many body fluids, including sweat, tears, and urine, are infectious, the waste generated in the care of confirmed patients should be handled as contaminated and therefore Category A waste […]
What about waste for non-confirmed persons under investigation (PUIs) who are clinically stable?
We recommend sequestering packaged waste from a PUI until you have confirmation.
Should EMS providers screen patients? What resources do you have for dispatch?
Yes, EMS providers should follow the identify, isolate, and inform strategy and screen patients suspected of being infected with a special pathogen like Ebolavirus. See the EMS Infectious Disease Playbook […]
If a shower is needed for a contaminated health care worker can the water go into the regular sewer or should it go into a separate tank?
This is up to your local public health authority and municipal water departments. You will also want to involve your own infection prevention and control and maintenance people. The goal […]
If using a bedside commode and lining it with a red biohazard bag, is it useful to add a solidifier?
Using a solidifier can make waste handling safer for staff but the decision on solidifying and packaging human waste should include its impact on your on-site inactivation plan and/or the […]
How many different strains of the Ebolavirus are there?
There are six species of ebolavirus, four of which are known to cause disease in humans.
Do you recommend a lid on toilets used by patients with Ebola to prevent aerosol generation when flushing?
We recommend using a lid on a toilet to reduce splash risk and contamination of the surrounding space. It is important to work with your internal partners, in facilities operations […]
Is there a difference in transmissibility between the Sudan ebolavirus and the Zaire species?
At this time there are not data to indicate differences in transmissibility between Sudan and Zaire ebolaviruses. However, there is ongoing research in this area. For the time being, we […]
Is Ebola transmissible to family pets?
There have been no reports of dogs or cats becoming sick with Ebola virus or of being able to spread Ebola to people or other animals. However, it is important […]