Which patients with potential exposure to Ebola Virus Disease should be referred to specialist services, and what information should I provide?

Patients with potential exposure to Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) should be referred to specialist infectious disease or high-consequence infectious disease (HCID) services if they have had contact with a confirmed or probable case of EVD or have traveled to an area with active EVD transmission and develop symptoms consistent with EVD, such as fever, severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding.

Referral should be urgent to ensure rapid assessment, isolation, and management to prevent further transmission.

When referring, provide detailed information including the patient's travel history, nature and timing of exposure, onset and type of symptoms, and any relevant clinical findings.

Additionally, inform the specialist service about any potential contacts the patient may have had to facilitate contact tracing and public health interventions.

Patients and their contacts should be advised on infection control measures, the importance of prompt medical evaluation, and the need to avoid contact with others until assessed by specialists.