Health

The risk of Ebola haemorrhagic fever cases being imported into South Africa is low, however surveillance for viral haemorrhagic fevers must be ensured. The Western Cape Government Health is fully prepared to manage Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). Tygerberg Hospital is the facility dedicated to contain the virus, should patients be identified, in conjunction with Communicable Disease Control, Port Health Services and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Suspected cases seen at other hospitals in the Western Cape will be managed and treated in consultation with the Infectious Disease Specialist / VHF consultant at Tygerberg Hospital.

Health workers treating patients with suspected or confirmed illness are at higher risk of infection than other groups. In order to protect themselves, health workers should, apply the following safety measures:

• In addition to standard health care precautions, health workers should strictly apply recommended infection control measures to avoid exposure to infected blood, fluids, contaminated environments or objects – such as a patient’s soiled linen or used needles. They should use the provided personal protection equipment such as individual gowns, gloves, masks and goggles or face shields.
• They should not re-use protective equipment or clothing unless they have been properly disinfected.
• They should change gloves between caring for each patient suspected of having Ebola.
• Invasive procedures that can expose medical doctors, nurses and others to infection should be carried out under very strict, safe conditions.
• Infected patients must be kept isolated from other patients and healthy people, as much as possible.

In view of the low risk of Ebola being imported, the measures to detect, treat and contain the disease are adequate and in line with the National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD) recommendations.