The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its clinical laboratory guidance for Ebola testing.
Highlighted below are five updates from the CDC guidance meant to assure patients for which Ebola is a concern are being cared for while minimizing risk to laboratory personnel.
- Even if healthcare workers are considering Ebola, they should not delay diagnostic assessments, laboratory testing and appropriate care for other, more likely medical conditions.
- Only individuals who meet the criteria for "persons under investigation for Ebola Disease Virus" should be tested for Ebola.
- Hospitals should follow their local or state health department procedures for notifying and consulting about Ebola virus testing requests before contacting the CDC.
- Any presumptive positive Ebola test result must be confirmed at the CDC to inform public health decisions.
- Hospitals may choose to use a commercial Ebola virus test, but specimens should also be submitted to a Laboratory Response Network facility or the CDC for definitive testing.
For more guidance on clinical testing of Ebola, click here.
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