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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