The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released an interim guidance for environmental infection control in hospitals related to the Ebola virus.
In early October, the CDC released recommended infection control measures for patients with known or suspected EVD. There is no epidemiologic evidence of Ebola virus transmission via the environment that could become contaminated during patient care, however, given the apparent low infectious dose and disease severity, higher levels of precaution are warranted.
As part of care of patients with suspected or confirmed Ebola, hospitals are recommended to:
• Be sure environmental services staff wear recommended personal protective equipment.
• Use a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-registered hospital disinfectant with a label claim for a non-enveloped virus to disinfect environmental surfaces in rooms of patients with suspected or confirmed Ebola virus infection.
• Avoid contamination of reusable porous surfaces that cannot be made single use.
• To reduce exposure among staff to potentially contaminated cloth products while laundering, discard all linens, non-fluid-impermeable pillows or mattresses and cloth privacy curtains as a regulated medical waste.
The guidance also includes 'frequently asked questions' section.
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