Filoviruses (Ebola and Marburg) are highly contagious pathogens which
cause severe and often fatal illness in humans. Health workers are at
increased risk of infection with these viruses because of their close
and prolonged contact with severely ill patients with a high viral load.
The risk of transmission of Ebola virus can be reduced if appropriate
measures are taken, including the use of personal protective equipment.
The West African Ebola outbreak taught public health planners important
lessons about how best to protect those providing clinical care. These
lessons--of what works, what does not, what is most practical and
effective--have been collated, assessed by experts in clinical care and
infection control and form the basis for these recommendations. This is
an important step forward in evidence-based protection and safety for
health care delivery during outbreaks.