Ebola virus disease: Effects of respiratory protection on healthcare workers

• Main Author: Hanan Mohammed Mohammed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2015-07-01
• Series: Egyptian Journal of Chest Disease and Tuberculosis
• Subjects: Ebola virus diseases; Health care workers; Personal protective equipment; Respiratory protection; Outbreak
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0422763815300054

Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa sends an alarming message to all countries in the world, to increase the level of coordination and application of preventive measures globally to avoid a disastrous epidemic in the World, as the current situation in West Africa is critical especially after the World Health Organization increased the alarming level to an emergency in public health all over the world. Viral hemorrhagic fevers are important because they can readily spread within a hospital or mortuary setting, there is no effective cure or vaccine, they have a high mortality rate and they are difficult to recognize and diagnose rapidly. WHO has recommended respiratory protection for HCWs performing certain tasks such as aerosol-generating procedures, laboratory procedures, and autopsies. Particulate respirators are designed to help reduce the wearer’s exposure to certain airborne particles. The most effective way to block aerosolized particles is to use either a half-face or a full-face respirator. HCWs still need shoe covers, a full face respirator and latex or nitrile gloves to decrease the risk of Ebola virus contamination.