• The incubation period of EVD varies from 2 to 21 days. An outbreak of EVD is considered to be over when 42 days (double the 21-day incubation period of the ebolavirus) has elapsed since the last patient in isolation became laboratory negative for EVD.
• Ebola virus is transmitted among humans through close and direct physical contact with infected bodily fluids, the most infectious being blood, faeces and vomit. In a household study, secondary transmission took place only if direct physical contact occurred. No transmission was reported without this direct contact.
• Ebola virus has also been detected in breast milk, urine and semen. In a convalescent male, the virus can persist in semen for at least 70 days; one study suggests persistence for more than 90 days. Saliva and tears may also carry some risk. However, the studies implicating these additional bodily fluids were extremely limited in sample size and the science is inconclusive. In studies of saliva, the virus was found most frequently in patients at a severe stage of illness. The whole live virus has never been isolated from sweat.
• Airborne transmission has never been documented.
• There is no risk of transmission during the incubation period and only low risk of transmission in the early phase of symptomatic patients. The risk of infection during transport of persons can be further reduced through use of infection control precautions.
• Ebola virus can also be transmitted indirectly, by contact with previously contaminated surfaces and objects. The risk of transmission from these surfaces is low and can be reduced even further by appropriate cleaning and disinfection procedures.

A person with EVD-compatible symptoms is defined as an individual presenting with fever (temperature ≥ 38.0 degrees Celsius) OR at least one of the following symptoms/signs:

• subjective fever
• malaise
• myalgia
• headache
• arthralgia
• fatigue
• loss of appetite
• conjunctival redness
• sore throat
• chest pain
• abdominal pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea that can be bloody
• haemorrhage
• erythematous maculopapular rash on the trunk

Epidemiological Risk Factors:

• Individual who cared for a case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
• Laboratory worker handling Ebola virus or processing body fluids from a case of EVD.
• Individual who spent time in a healthcare facility where cases of EVD are being treated in a country/region with widespread and intense Ebola virus transmission.
• Sexual contact with an EVD case.
• Close contact in households, healthcare facilities, or community settings with a person with Ebola while the person was symptomatic - close contact is defined as being for a prolonged period of time within approximately 2 meters (6 feet) of a person with Ebola.
• Contact with any human remains of a case of EVD or contact with human remains in a country/region with widespread and intense Ebola virus transmission.
• Contact with bats, primates or wild animal bush meat from affected countries/regions.
• A travel history to a country/region with widespread and intense Ebola virus transmission within 21 days constitutes a low risk factor.

Person Under investigation (PUI)

• A travel history to a country/region with widespread and intense EVD transmission within 21 days of symptom onset OR exposure to one of the epidemiological risk factors within 21 days of symptom onset.
• With or without pending laboratory results for EVD.

Confirmed Case

• Isolation and identification of virus from an appropriate clinical specimen (e.g., blood, serum, tissue, urine specimens or throat secretions) (performed at the National Microbiology Laboratory) OR
• Detection of virus-specific RNA by reverse-transcriptase PCR from an appropriate clinical specimen (e.g., blood, serum, tissue) using two independent targets or two independent samples AND confirmed by the National Microbiology Laboratory by nucleic acid testing or serology OR
• Demonstration of virus antigen in tissue (e.g., skin, liver or spleen) by immunohistochemical or immunofluorescent techniques AND another test (e.g., PCR) OR
• Demonstration of specific IgM AND IgG antibody by EIA, immunofluorescent assay or Western Blot by the National Microbiology Laboratory or an approved WHO collaboration centre OR
• Demonstration of a fourfold rise in IgG titre by EIA, immunofluorescent assay from an acute vs. a convalescent serum sample (performed at the National Microbiology Laboratory).

1. Accommodation [more information]:
   • Single patient room with dedicated toilet/commode, door closed.
   • Maintain a log of all persons entering room; only essential personnel to enter.
   • Patients who also have symptoms compatible with airborne infections (i.e., measles, tuberculosis) should be placed in an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) as soon as possible.
   • Although Ebola virus is not transmitted by the airborne route, it may be practical for facilities with airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIR) to isolate suspected EVD patients in an AIIR as this will allow an appropriate space (anteroom) for putting on and taking off personal protective equipment (PPE), ensure the presence of a dedicated washroom, and allow aerosol-generating medical procedures (AGMPs) to be performed, if required.
   • Consider assignment of trained individual to monitor appropriate selection, application, removal and disposal of PPE, to avoid contamination of the HCW, and to monitor entry to room (i.e., limit entry to only essential HCWs).
2. Hand Hygiene: Hand hygiene is according to the Four/Five Moments for Hand Hygiene (provincial recommendations should apply). Use alcohol-based hand rub, or soap and water if hands are visibly soiled.
3. Precautions:
   • Perform a point-of-care risk assessment before every interaction with the patient [more information].
   • Use Routine Practices for all care [more information].
   • Use Droplet and Contact Precautions for all care.
   • PPE should be removed and disposed of in the anteroom and hand hygiene performed before touching the face. If an anteroom is not available, PPE should be removed at the doorway before exiting the room. PPE should be discarded in the patient room.
4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) [more information]:
   • PPE should be provided in a clean area outside the patient's room or in the anteroom.
   • Consider assignment of trained individual to monitor appropriate selection and application, removal and disposal of PPE, to observe and ensure HCW not contaminating self and to monitor entry to room (i.e., limit entry to only essential HCWs).
   • The need for enhanced PPE (e.g. double gloving, leg and shoe coverings, hair/head covering), is determined by assessing the risk of heavy exposure to blood and body fluids). Note: In late stages of EVD, there may be copious secretions and excretions.
   • Gloves:
     • Should fit securely over gown cuff and should be worn to enter the patient room
     • Should be removed and discarded into a no-touch waste receptacle and hand hygiene should be performed on exit from the patient room
   • Gown:
     • A long-sleeved, cuffed, fluid-resistant or impermeable gown should be put on prior to entry to the room
     • Reusable gowns should be removed and placed into a no-touch used linen receptacle immediately after use and hand hygiene should be performed before leaving the patient room
     • Disposable gowns should be discarded into a no-touch waste receptacle immediately after use and hand hygiene should be performed before leaving the patient room
   • Facial Protection:
     • Facial protection (i.e., mask and eye protection, or mask and face shield) should be worn on entry to the room
     • Masks with visors are not suitable; face shields should be long enough to prevent splashing underneath; eye glasses are not suitable eye protection
     • AGMPs (aerosol-generating medical procedures):
       • Avoid if possible.
       • If an AGMP is necessary, carry out procedure in an Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR) using Airborne Precautions + Droplet and Contact Precautions. If an AIIR is not available, use a single room.
       • Use current recommendations to reduce aerosol generation. See http://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/440707/publication.html.
5. Equipment:
   • Only take essential equipment into the patient room.
   • Use disposable equipment whenever possible, or dedicate equipment to the patient.
   • Limit the use of needles/sharps as much as possible.
   • Clean equipment according to routine hospital practices.
   • There are no indications for the use of disposable dishes/cutlery, except in the circumstance of non-functioning dishwashing equipment.
6. Linen:
   • Disposable linen is preferred.
   • Place soiled linen in clearly-labelled, leak-proof bags at the point-of-use. Handle with minimum agitation to avoid contamination of air, surfaces and persons.
   • Transport linen directly to the laundry area and handle according to routine protocols.
   • Perform hand hygiene after handling soiled linen.
7. Environmental Cleaning:
   • Provide education and appropriate PPE to those responsible for environmental cleaning.
   • Assign responsibility and accountability for cleaning and disinfection of patient care environment; consider auditing to ensure appropriate processes.
   • Use approved hospital-grade disinfectants for cleaning the environment.
   • Surfaces that are likely to be touched and/or used frequently should be cleaned and disinfected on a more frequent schedule. This includes surfaces that are in close proximity to the patient (e.g., bedrails, bedside/over-bed tables, call bells) and frequently touched surfaces in the patient care environment, such as door knobs, surfaces in the patient's bathroom.
   • Additional cleaning measures or frequency may be warranted in situations where environmental soiling has occurred.
   • When precautions are discontinued or the patient is moved, terminal cleaning of the room/bed space and bathroom, changing of privacy curtains and cleaning and disinfection or changing of string/cloth call bells or light cords should be done.
   • Biomedical waste (e.g., items soaked with blood or secretions) should be contained in impervious waste-holding bags or double bags according to municipal/regional regulations.
   • Blood, suctioned fluids, excretions and secretions should be disposed of in a sanitary sewer or septic system according to municipal/regional regulations.
8. Visitors: Only essential visitors should enter the patient's room.