Rx Response stands ready to assist your Ebola response. We have developed the resources below to assist with your response and calm concerns. For additional support do not hesitate to reach out to Rx Response at Alerts@rxresponse.org.
Pharmacist Guidelines for Ebola
What to do if a sick patient comes to the pharmacy
(Updated 11-6-2014)
Pharmacy Team Member Guidelines for Ebola
How to keep your risk of exposure to Ebola and other infectious diseases low
Pharmacy Owner Guidelines for Ebola
How to prepare your business for Ebola
Stay Informed
- FDA 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa (includes information on counterfeit medicines marketed as Ebola “cures”)
- WHO Global Alert and Response: Ebola
- CDC Ebola Virus Disease
- National Libraries of Medicine Disaster Information Management Research Center
- PhRMA Ebola Resources Page
- Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness Journal Special Edition on Ebola
News items of interest
- The Real Lesson of Ebola in Dallas: this virus is very difficult to spread Vox
- The R&D challenges in Tackling Ebola IFPMA
- Ebola Facts and Graphs NY Times
- How the microscopic Ebola virus kills thousands Washington Post
- Distributor reports hazmat suit shortage as Ebola spreads The Hill
- Ebola Suit Maker Triples Output ABCNews.com
Make a Plan
- Limit exposure by keeping distance
- Disinfect surfaces regularly
- Know the criteria for case definition (signs and symptoms as well as potential exposure history)
- Know when to refer patient to definitive care
- Cultivate a relationship with your Local Health Department
- Consider Human Resources policy and Insurance issues that may be impacted by exposure or fear of exposure
Have a Kit
- Consider augmenting your spill kit with additional personal protective equipment
- Ensure that adequate disinfection supplies (bleach or other disinfectant labeled as effective against Norovirus)
Concern about Ebola in the US has reached near-panic levels, and there is a lot of information (both good and bad) in the news and on the internet. Patients and co-workers are coming to you with their questions and fears. It is important that you stay informed and provide reason and correct information. As the current outbreak of Ebola in Western Africa is the largest, most widespread in history, our understanding of the virus and protective measures are likely to change as the healthcare practitioners and epidemiologists learn the best actions to take.
Remember that risk of Ebola infection here in the US is very low; contact with body fluids of a symptomatic patient is required to transmit the disease. There are many other endemic diseases and conditions that are far more likely to have similar symptoms to acute Ebola infection, and so a history is essential for determining whether a patient should be suspected of having Ebola disease.