[Table of Contents]

Volume: 23S1 - January 1997

Canadian Contingency Plan for Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers and Other Related Diseases

HOSPITALIZATION OF THE PATIENT

Throughout the course of a VHF illness, nosocomial transmission can occur directly (i.e., droplet), indirectly (e.g., instruments and hard surfaces), and possibly by aerosols. Viral shedding and its associated risks appear to increase from the incubation period through the last stages of infection⁽¹⁹⁾ .

The infection control team must be actively consulted and included in all decisions regarding patient isolation requirements, use of personal protective equipment and patient transport requirements.

Direct care givers should be limited to a small number of highly trained individuals. Students should not be included in the care team.

At a minimum, the laboratory dealing with the patient's specimens should be equipped with a biosafety cabinet and sealed aerosol-free centrifuge rotors (in this document a biosafety cabinet refers to a tested and certified Class II Biosafety Cabinet).

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