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Infection Prevention and Control News
Grampians Region Infection Control Group
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)
Ebola is a highly contagious viral
disease.
The
disease
is
transmitted via body fluids such
as blood, sweat, saliva or tears.
Those caring for sufferers are
therefore susceptible to the
Ebola virus, which can spread to health staff and family
members, if appropriate infection control measures are
not maintained.
Incubation period
From 2 to 21 days; most commonly 8 to 10 days.
Infectious period
People are infectious as long as their blood and
secretions contain the virus. Ebola Virus was isolated
from semen 61 days after onset of illness in a man who
was infected in a laboratory; and transmission through
sexual contact may therefore be possible for up to seven
weeks after clinical recovery.
Clinical presentation
The onset of symptoms is sudden and includes an
influenza-like illness, fever (>38oC), myalgia, fatigue and
headache. The next stage may include symptoms that
are gastrointestinal (vomiting, diarrhoea), neurological
(headaches,
confusion),
vascular,
cutaneous
(maculopapular rash), and respiratory (sore throat,
cough) with prostration. Cases may develop a septic
shock-like syndrome, and progress to multi-organ
failure, sometimes accompanied by profuse internal and
external bleeding. Fatality rate ranges from 50- 90%.
Infection Control
1. Isolate the patient in a single room with own
bathroom
2. Minimise unnecessary staff and family contact
3. Ensure standard, contact and droplet precautions
are implemented
4. This means PPE composed of:
i. A fluid-impermeable submicron single use face
mask AND
ii. Eye goggles AND
iii. A fluid-impermeable gown AND
iv. Gloves
5. If there is copious blood or body fluids present,
additional PPE should be worn including:
i. Double gloving;
ii. Disposable shoe covers;
iii. Leg coverings.
6. Minimise procedures and take extreme care with
sharps
7. Use
additional
PPE
for
aerosol
generating
procedures – contact IC for details.
8. Keep an accurate list of all staff that enters the
room of the infected patient.
September 2014: Is su e N o. 5 2
9. Increase environmental cleaning as per gastro
outbreak – use bleach.
Notifiable Disease
Suspected or confirmed Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is
a quarantinable infection and is a Group A condition
requiring immediate notification under the Public
Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009. A medical
practitioner who forms the view that a patient may
be a suspected case of EVD under law must notify
the Department (DH) immediately by calling –
1300 651 160
Immunisation Update
Recent surveillance data indicates the uptake of
vaccination in the secondary school setting is well
below the target of 85% of enrolled students. The
Department
of
Health
Grampians
Regional
Immunisation Initiative is developing and evaluating
Immune Hero (immunehero.health.vic.gov.au), a
multicomponent strategy to increase the demand for
school vaccination and improve systems for vaccine
delivery in the school setting.
Immune Hero is a ‘one-stopshop’ adolescent immunisation
website designed for students,
parents, teachers, schools and
immunisation providers, all of
whom play their own important
part in secondary school vaccination.
Immune Hero hosts a range of games, videos and
teacher education plans in addition to existing
immunisation resources in one central easy to access
location. Immune Hero has been designed for a
flexible delivery approach;
either in the classroom by a
teacher as a comprehensive
package, or resources can
be accessed independently
by the end user.
For
further
information
on
the
Regional
Immunisation Initiative, please contact Bree Porter,
Regional Environmental Health Officer, Department
of Health Grampians Region on 5333 6049 or via
email [email protected]
The number of deaths from whooping cough in
Australia fell from 1,693 in the 1930's and 40's to
17 in the 1990's and 2000's!
Local News
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