Contact definition Public health authorities should identify all contacts of suspect, probable or confirmed cases (depending on patient risk assessment and particular circumstances) from the onset of symptoms in the case. Contacts of an EVD case are assessed for their likely level of exposure, and managed according to risk category as per the table below. Table. Risk assessment and management for contacts of probable and confirmed* cases of EVD Contact Definition Action and advice exposure category Casual No direct contact with the patient or Reassure about very low risk contacts body fluids but who have been in the near vicinity of the patient Provide template contacts fact sheet (Appendix 6); Lower risk Household contact with an EVD Explain what is meant by low exposures case (in some circumstances this risk; might be classified as higher risk such where the household was in Twice daily self-monitoring of a resource poor setting) or temperature for 21 days from last exposure; provide Close contact in healthcare or community thermometer and instructions settings where close contact is defined on use; as: Notify public health authority if fever or other symptoms+ being within approximately 1 metre develop. of an EVD patient or within the Provide template contacts fact patient’s room or care area for a sheet (Appendix 6); prolonged period of time (e.g., healthcare personnel, household Consider daily (or twice daily) members) while not wearing active monitoring by Public recommended personal protective Health Unit / Jurisdictional equipment (See Section 9 Case communicable disease control management Infection Prevention, branch. Isolation and Restriction) having direct brief contact (e.g., An exposure and clinical risk shaking hands) with an EVD patient assessment conducted by while not wearing recommended public health authorities, as personal protective equipment well as an assessment of personal circumstances, will Healthcare workers (see below). inform what activities and/or restrictions are required as part of an individual management plan. Higher risk Contacts with higher risk exposures have Inform about risks; exposures had direct contact with the patient or Twice daily self-monitoring of their bodily fluids. temperature for 21 days from percutaneous (e.g. needle stick) or last exposure; provide
Contact definition Public health authorities should identify all contacts of suspect, probable or confirmed cases (depending on patient risk assessment and particular circumstances) from the onset of symptoms in the case. Contacts of an EVD case are assessed for their likely level of exposure, and managed according to risk category as per the table below. Table. Risk assessment and management for contacts of probable and confirmed* cases of EVD Contact exposure category Definition Action and advice Casual contacts No direct contact with the patient or body fluids but who have been in the near vicinity of the patient Reassure about very low risk Provide template contacts fact sheet (Appendix 6); Lower risk exposures Household contact with an EVD case (in some circumstances this might be classified as higher risk such where the household was in a resource poor setting) or Close contact in healthcare or community settings where close contact is defined as: being within approximately 1 metre of an EVD patient or within the patient’s room or care area for a prolonged period of time (e.g., healthcare personnel, household members) while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment (See Section 9 Case management Infection Prevention, Isolation and Restriction) having direct brief contact (e.g., shaking hands) with an EVD patient while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment Healthcare workers (see below). Explain what is meant by low risk; Twice daily self-monitoring of temperature for 21 days from last exposure; provide thermometer and instructions on use; Notify public health authority if fever or other symptoms+ develop. Provide template contacts fact sheet (Appendix 6); Consider daily (or twice daily) active monitoring by Public Health Unit / Jurisdictional communicable disease control branch. An exposure and clinical risk assessment conducted by public health authorities, as well as an assessment of personal circumstances, will inform what activities and/or restrictions are required as part of an individual management plan. Higher risk exposures Contacts with higher risk exposures have had direct contact with the patient or their bodily fluids. percutaneous (e.g. needle stick) or Inform about risks; Twice daily self-monitoring of temperature for 21 days from last exposure; provide
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