Ebola virus infection

Education:

• A fact sheet is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) CDC: Ebola (Ebola virus disease) fact sheet external link opens in a new window

• A fact sheet is available from the World Health Organization (WHO) WHO: Ebola virus disease fact sheet external link opens in a new window

• Bushmeat from Africa should not be imported into other countries CDC: importation - bushmeat external link opens in a new window

• Household pets are not thought to be at significant risk for infection WHO: Ebola virus disease and household pets external link opens in a new window

• Patients should be educated about the likely course of convalescence and the possibility of long-term complications.

Sexual health:

• The WHO provides guidance on safe sex practices for survivors and their partners: WHO: interim advice on the sexual transmission of the Ebola virus disease external link opens in a new window

• Women should be advised not to breastfeed during infection,[37]Bausch DG, Towner JS, Dowell SF, et al. Assessment of the risk of Ebola virus transmission from bodily fluids and fomites. J Infect Dis. 2007 Nov 15;196 Suppl 2:S142-7. https://jid.oxfordjournals.org/content/196/Supplement_2/S142.long http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17940942?tool=bestpractice.com unless breast milk has been shown to be PCR negative for Ebola virus. However, the risks of not breastfeeding may outweigh the risks of breastfeeding if the infant is symptomatic. More detailed guidance is available here: ENN: infant feeding in the context of ebola external link opens in a new window

• The WHO recommends that men should be offered semen testing every month from 3 months after symptom onset and be abstinent or use condoms ideally until two negative semen tests taken one month apart (or at least 12 months after resolution of symptoms).[44]World Health Organization. Clinical care for survivors of Ebola virus disease: interim guidance. April 2016 [internet publication]. https://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/ebola/guidance-survivors/en/

Travel:

• The CDC and WHO produce guidance for travelers: CDC: travelers health - Ebola external link opens in a new window WHO: travel and transport risk assessment external link opens in a new window

CDC: Ebola (Ebola virus disease) external link opens in a new window

WHO: Ebola virus disease external link opens in a new window