Airborne/Contact Precautions

Viral Hemorrhagic Fever
(e.g. Lassa, Ebola, and Marburg) requires Standard Precautions, Airborne Precautions and Contact Precautions.

Notify the YNHH Epidemiology and Infection Control Department immediately at 8-4634 for specific instructions in the management of a suspected case.

Airborne Precautions:

• Private negative pressure room required
• N-95/HEPA mask required before entering room.
• PAPR's should be used in lieu of N-95/HEPA masks once the patient has entered the hemorrhagic phase; consult Hospital Epidemiology before their use.

Contact Precautions:

• Don and remove gown and gloves upon entering and exiting patient's room.
• Wash hands after removal of gown/gloves.
• Dedicate non-critical patient care equipment.

Transport of Patient:
Hospital Epidemiologist (8-4634) must grant approval for any movement of the patient outside the negative pressure room.

Duration of Precautions: Duration of illness

Note: Although the CDC guidelines recommend Standard and Contact Precautions for Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, Airborne Precautions have been added to provide an additional level of protection from aerosols generated by bleeding from the aerodigestive tract. Viral Hemorrhagic Fever in humans is not readily transmitted from person to person by an airborne route when studied epidemiologically. However, airborne transmission has been suggested in an experiment involving nonhuman primates (i.e. monkeys). In the study, the distance between the inoculated monkeys and control monkeys was 3 feet. Thus, airborne versus droplet spread of the Viral Hemorrhagic Fever could not be determined. So, the use of Airborne Precautions in addition to Contact Precautions is a prudent measure.

Viral Hemorrhagic fevers are Category 1 reportable diseases. Report immediately by telephone on the day of recognition or strong suspicion of disease. Reports should be made to:

1. Connecticut Epidemiology Program (860) 509-7994
2. the local health department in which the patient resides

Location of Negative Pressure Rooms

Additional Information on Reportable Diseases

Last modified: February 24, 2003.



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