What You Need To Know
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued the attached Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory about a recently confirmed outbreak of Ebola disease in Uganda (caused by the Sudan virus).
- Healthcare providers should be aware of this and other ongoing viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) outbreaks in Africa, including Marburg Virus Disease in Tanzania (see Travel Health Notices | Travelers' Health | CDC), and should assess travel history and exposure risk in the triage and evaluation process for all patients with symptoms compatible with VHF.
- Early identification of Ebola and other VHFs is essential to prevent the spread of infection. Include Ebola/VHF in the differential diagnosis for patients with compatible symptoms who have been to an area with an active outbreak AND who have epidemiologic risk factors for exposure within the 21 days before symptom onset (see attached HAN for details on symptoms, exposure risks and infection control).
- Immediately notify the Local Health Department (if the LHD is not available, call the NJDOH Communicable Disease Service) and isolate any patient who has symptoms AND epidemiologic risk factors which suggest the possibility of Ebola or any other VHF.