CDC issues interim guidance, resources for safe care of Ebola survivors

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today released interim guidance and additional resources for U.S.-based health care providers caring for individuals who have survived the Ebola virus disease. According to CDC, the Ebola virus can persist for several months after acute infection in organs that are “immunologically privileged” sites, such as the eyes, testes and central nervous system. CDC notes that the “risk of infectivity from patients with persistent infection is unknown but appears to be low and is likely to decrease over time.” However, due to the persistence, “appropriate infection control practices such as those recommended for evaluating persons under investigation for EVD, should be adhered to until EBOV testing is negative.” For more, see the guidance. The agency also released a set of messages for the care of Ebola survivors and a set of Frequently Asked Questions on Ebola screening for health care providers and health departments.