Ebola: Information for Health Professionals

Ebola virus disease is a rare and serious viral infection.

Ebola does not spread easily from person to person. It is spread from touching bodily fluids of a person who is sick with, or has died from the disease, or from exposure to contaminated objects, such as needles.

Risk to Canadians

• The risk to Canadians remains very low. There has never been a case of Ebola virus disease in Canada.
• If you have recently travelled to Africa and develop fever or other symptoms of illness within three weeks of return to Canada, call HealthLine 811 or consult a health care provider. Call ahead and let your health care provider know that you have travelled to a country where Ebola virus is present.

Further information on Ebola is available at Public Health Agency - Ebola virus disease and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention - Ebola.

Information for health professionals

General information

• Ebola Basics for Health Care Workers (August 2016)

Tools for triage and screening

• Triage flowcharts (Jan 26, 2015)
• Ebola Guidelines for Primary Health Care Providers (Jan 26, 2015)
• Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Algorithm (Jan 19, 2015)
• Ebola/Viral Haemorrhagic Fever Initial Clinical Assessment and Management Flow Map (Jan 26, 2015)
• Ebola Virus Disease Assessment Form (Jan 26, 2015)
• Poster - Clinic Entrance and Waiting Area (Jan 26, 2015)
• Poster - Receptionist and Health Care Provider Area (Jan 26, 2015)

Personal Protective equipment (PPE)

• Ebola - Level 4 Precaution Signage (Oct 31,2014)
• Ebola Risk Assessment and Level of PPE (Jan 19, 2015)
• Low Risk Donning of PPE (Jan 20, 2015)
• Low Risk Doffing of PPE (Jan 20, 2015)
• High Risk Donning of PPE (Jan 20, 2015)
• Checklist for Donning High Risk PPE (Jan 20, 2015)
• High Risk Doffing of PPE (Jan 20, 2015)
• Checklist for Doffing High Risk PPE (Jan 20, 2015)
• Trained Observer Donning of PPE (Jan 20, 2015)
• Trained Observer Doffing of PPE (Jan 20, 2015)

Common questions

What is Ebola?
Ebola, also known as Ebola virus disease, is a rare and serious disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus strains (Zaire, Sudan, Bundibugyo, or Tai Forest virus). Ebola viruses are found in several African countries. Ebola was discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, outbreaks have appeared sporadically in several African countries.

What are the symptoms of Ebola?
Signs and symptoms of Ebola include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising. Signs and symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, although 8 to 10 days is most common.

How is Ebola spread?
The virus is spread through direct contact with blood and body fluids (urine, feces, saliva, vomit or semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola, or with objects (like needles) that have been contaminated with the virus. The virus enters through broken skin or mucous membranes.

Ebola is not spread through the air or by water or, in general, by food.

Can I get Ebola from a person who's infected but doesn't have fever/symptoms?
No. A person infected with Ebola is not contagious until symptoms appear. A person becomes increasingly infectious as the symptoms worsen.

Should I be concerned about Ebola if I have not travelled to Africa?
Ebola is not easily transmitted from person to person and there has never been a case in Canada. In addition, the Ebola virus has not been identified in Canada in animal populations. In general, Saskatchewan residents are not at significant risk of getting this disease and need not be concerned.

What should I do if I think I've been in contact with someone who has Ebola?
To reduce the risk of exposure for others in your community, call HealthLine 811 first for advice. They will ask you questions, and if appropriate, contact the local Medical Health Officer about further steps.

What happens after I call HealthLine?
The Medical Health Officer will ask you a series of questions, and may consult with an infectious disease specialist. Together, they'll determine the best way to ensure you receive appropriate care. Depending on the assessment made by the physicians, an ambulance may be sent to take you to Regina or Saskatoon for further evaluation and treatment. The ambulance personnel would be wearing Personal Protective Equipment in order to keep themselves safe while they transport you.

Why can't I just go see my family doctor or nurse practitioner?
Medical offices or clinics often have patients waiting to see a health care provider, as well as staff working in the location. To reduce any risk of exposing other people, it is best to call HealthLine first.

Why can't I just go to the Emergency Department at the hospital?
Hospital emergency departments often have people waiting to be seen, as well as staff caring for patients. To keep both you and others safe, it is best to call HealthLine at 811; they can help make sure you receive appropriate information and care.

Why would patients be taken only to Regina or Saskatoon?
All provinces have designated hospitals for the care and treatment of patients who are suspected of or who may have Ebola. Saskatchewan has designated Regina General Hospital and St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon, should the need arise. These facilities are best positioned to provide the care patients would need.

Who is most at risk of getting Ebola?
Health care providers and other volunteers caring for Ebola patients are at most risk. Family and friends in close contact with Ebola patients are also at high risk of getting sick because they may come in direct contact with the body fluids of sick patients.

Can Ebola be spread through mosquitoes?
There is no evidence that mosquitoes or other insects can transmit Ebola virus. Only certain mammals (for example, humans, bats, monkeys and apes) have shown the ability to spread and become infected with Ebola virus.

How is Ebola treated?
No specific vaccine or medicine has been proven to cure Ebola, although experimental treatments are under review. Signs and symptoms of Ebola are treated as they appear. The following basic interventions, when used early, can increase the chances of survival.

• Providing fluids and electrolytes
• Maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure
• Treating other infections if they occur

Early recognition of Ebola is important for providing appropriate patient care and preventing the spread of infection. Healthcare providers should be alert for and evaluate any patients who have a travel history and symptoms that could be compatible with Ebola.

How do I protect myself against Ebola if I travel to one of the affected countries?
In early September the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development issued an advisory against all non-essential travel to the affected areas and recommended Canadians in those countries leave by commercial means.

If you are traveling to an area affected by the Ebola outbreak, protect yourself by registering with the Canadian Embassy/Consulate. They may also be able to provide you with information on care centres or hospitals should you need them.

Seek medical care immediately if you develop fever and any of the other following symptoms: headache, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bruising or bleeding.

What should I do if get sick while travelling back to Canada from an area affected by the Ebola outbreak?
If you develop symptoms while travelling back to Canada, you should tell a flight attendant or border services officer. You should not travel if you are already sick.