Organization of Patient Care during the Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Epidemic in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1995

In contrast with procedures in previous Ebola outbreaks, patient care during the 1995 outbreak in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo, was centralized for a large number of patients. On 4 May, before the diagnosis of Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of infectious diseases 1999-02, Vol.179 (Supplement-1), p.S268-S273
Main Authors: Guimard, Yves, Bwaka, Mpia Ado, Colebunders, Robert, Calain, Philippe, Massamba, Matondo, De Roo, Ann, Mupapa, Kibadi Donat, Kibadi, Kapay, Kuvula, Kivudi José, Ndaberey, Djuma Eduard, Katwiki, Kasongo René, Mapanda, Bwas Bienvenu, Nkuku, Okumi Berthe, Fleerackers, Yon, Van den Enden, Erwin, Kipasa, Mungala Anicet
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algorithms
Control, Response, Prevention
Cross Infection - diagnosis
Cross Infection - epidemiology
Cross Infection - therapy
Democratic Republic of the Congo - epidemiology
Disease Outbreaks
Ebola virus
Epidemics
Family members
Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola - diagnosis
Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola - epidemiology
Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola - therapy
Home Nursing
Hospital units
Hospitals
Hospitals, General
Humans
Infection Control
Infections
Medical equipment
Medical personnel
Nurses
Patient care
Patient Care Management - organization & administration
Patient Isolation
Time Factors
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Summary:In contrast with procedures in previous Ebola outbreaks, patient care during the 1995 outbreak in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo, was centralized for a large number of patients. On 4 May, before the diagnosis of Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an isolation ward was created at Kikwit General Hospital. On 11 May, an international scientific and technical committee established as a priority the improvement of hygienic conditions in the hospital and the protection of health care workers and family members; to this end, protective equipment was distributed and barrier-nursing techniques were implemented. For patients living far from Kikwit, home care was organized. Initially, hospitalized patients were given only oral treatments; however, toward the end of the epidemic, infusions and better nutritional support were given, and 8 patients received blood from convalescent EHF patients. Only 1 of the transfusion patients died (12.5%). It is expected that with improved medical care, the case fatality rate of EHF could be reduced.
ISSN:0022-1899
1537-6613
DOI:10.1086/514315