Lysol Handi-Pack Disinfecting Wipes, 320ct (4X80ct), Cool Country Breeze
Disinfection of hands and surfaces in case of infections caused by the Ebola virus
A consequence of the outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa in February 2014 was the spread of the virus to Europe and North America, where there are currently several reported infections among humanitarian workers who have returned from West Africa. Further, the victims of the virus were employees of medical institutions, under the care of which were infected workers of humanitarian missions. In cases where people who are infected with the Ebola virus need medical care, medical personnel must follow certain rules for disinfecting hands and surfaces.
Hemorrhagic fever: symptoms, ways of transmission and the course of the disease
In humans, the highly virulent Ebola virus causes hemorrhagic fever with bleeding and damage to internal organs. The death rate from this disease ranges from 50 to 90 percent. The Ebola virus is transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of people infected or dead from the Ebola virus, such as saliva, blood or faeces. The virus can be transmitted to people from infected animals (for example, monkeys, bats).
Recommended hygiene measures
When caring for an infected patient, it is necessary to use appropriate personal protective equipment, especially gloves [1–4]. Wearing two pairs of gloves is recommended, especially if you have to work with large volumes of biological fluids and excrement. This measure helps to reduce the residual risk of infection through microscopic holes in gloves. A recently published CDC recommendation (dated 10.21.2014) states that wearing two pairs of gloves is a standard measure of protection [2].
All medical professionals should disinfect hands after removing gloves or contact with body fluids, excreta, or other secretions of patients infected with Ebola virus. The WHO, CDC and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) recommend disinfecting the hands by rubbing alcohol-containing antiseptic [2–5]. RKI recommends the use of alcohol-containing antiseptics with proven effectiveness against enveloped viruses [4–5], for example, Sterillium®. Many tools for hand disinfection have a range of effectiveness against enveloped viruses [5]. WHO recommends disinfecting heavily soiled hands with soap and water [3], but we believe that handwashing alone is not enough to disinfect.
Disinfecting Gloved Hands
According to the CDC, when caring for a patient, especially after contact with body fluids, gloved hands must be disinfected. In addition, hands should always be disinfected after putting on and removing personal protective equipment (PPE). For disinfection of hands in gloves, the CDC recommends the use of alcohol-containing antiseptics for the skin of the hands, and in some cases also disinfecting wipes approved by the EPA [2].
Recommendations for the disinfection of surfaces in the wards
It has been proven that surfaces close to a patient infected with the Ebola virus are rarely contaminated by this virus [7]. The Ebola virus belongs to the family of filoviruses (Filoviridae). The duration of infection with this type of virus ranges from five days [8] to three weeks [9]. In the case of the Ebola virus, the following surface disinfection recommendations apply:
CDC and RKI recommend disinfecting surfaces in wards, including surfaces that are free from visible contamination [1, 2, 5].
WHO recommends cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects contaminated with biological fluids, excreta or excreta as quickly as possible. Clean the surface before disinfecting. Wash floors and horizontal work surfaces with clean water and detergent at least once a day [3].
RKI recommends removing visible contaminants, such as blood, with disposable wipes soaked in disinfectant. Such zones must be wiped with wipes twice before disinfecting the surface as a whole [5].
RKI recommends the use of pathogen-specific disinfectants (which are active against enveloped viruses) [4, 5]. Bacillol® plus, Kohrsolin® extra Tissues, Mikrobac® Tissues
Ebola virus usually spreads through contact with body fluids. Therefore, in the "dirty conditions" should be used to disinfect surfaces. Treated surfaces and objects can only be used after the exposure time specified by the manufacturer.
Products with activity against enveloped viruses must deactivate the Ebola virus. Click here to view related products.
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