FAQs
Are some species of Ebola airborne? What kind of precautions are needed?
From the CDC: Airborne transmission of Ebola has not been documented in hospitals or households during any of the human outbreaks investigated to date. However, certain procedures (e.g., bronchoscopy, endotracheal […]
If a patient presents with sign and symptoms of Ebola who should be contacted in a mass emergent communication for awareness?
Once a patient with concern for Ebola or any special pathogen has been identified and isolated, it is important to inform your local infection control and prevention team and consider […]
How would a patient “screen positive” on travel history? Travel to and from only Uganda? Or should we include surrounding countries (Congo, etc.) or all of Africa?
What would trigger a "positive" travel screen depends on some local contexts. We encourage facilities to discuss with their hospital epidemiologists and infection preventionists the best process and triggers for […]
How should other lab tests requested for PUIs be handled?
Discussion about what tests can safetly be done in your facilicy should be done prior to receiving a patient if possible. Discuss with physicians, nurses, lab leadership and personnel about […]
Are there any mobile rapid testing units that could help resource limited hospitals rapid test for malaria, which might otherwise be a more common cause of fever in a traveler.
We are looking into whether there are agencies that would be able to be deployed in this situation. This avenue has not been identified at this time, but discussions are […]
What is the best instrument for PT/INR testing for a suspected Ebola patient?
We currently use the Hemochron, however, this will be facility dependent. The CDC has a resource as to what some facilities are using for different tests. Do the risk assessment […]
During the 2014 outbreak NETEC had some great videos of spill clean ups, etc. Any plans to bring those back?
We are working on some updates to videos and other materials. However, videos and tools from NETEC can be found here: https://repository.netecweb.org/exhibits/show/ebola2021/ebola
What disinfectants should be used against the Ebola virus?
EPA’s website provides the list of products registered for use against Ebola: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-l-disinfectants-use-against-ebola-virus, and list of disinfectants for emerging viral pathogens: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/emerging-viral-pathogen-guidance-and-status-antimicrobial-pesticides.
What are recommendations and guidelines for using patient isolation units for patient transport between hospitals and inside hospitals?
Portable isolation units provide a level of barrier protection preferred by many personnel managing and transporting patients with high consequence infectious diseases. They are an alternative to using barrier drapes […]
Is the EMS Playbook on the NETEC website?
Yes, you can find the EMS Infectious Disease Playbook here: https://repository.netecweb.org/exhibits/show/ebola2021/item/16