The WHO clinical case definition for suspected cases of Ebola virus disease arriving at Ebola holding units: reason to worry?.
Ebola holding units were established at the peak of the 2014 ebola virus disease outbreak in Sierra Leone
Abstract
Ebola holding units were established at the peak of the 2014 Ebola virus disease outbreak in Sierra Leone when Ebola treatment centres were confronted with overwhelming numbers of cases and a dire shortage of bed capacity. The holding units were intended to temporarily admit and hold in isolation patients presenting with suspected Ebola virus disease while awaiting the results of confirmatory diagnostic testing. Individuals who tested positive for Ebola virus disease would then be transferred and admitted to Ebola treatment centres, whereas those testing negative would be discharged or referred to other routine health services such as emergency departments, general medical wards, or outpatient clinics.
This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)
Citation
Zachariah R, Harries AD (2015). The WHO clinical case definition for suspected cases of Ebola virus disease arriving at Ebola holding units: reason to worry?. Lancet Infectious Diseases. Volume 15, Issue 9, September 2015, Pages 989-990. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(15)00160-7.