Recommendations 

While there are no suspected, probable, or confirmed cases of EVD reported in the U.S. to date, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Monterey County Health Department (MCHD) request that healthcare providers in hospitals, emergency departments, urgent care centers, and outpatient clinics prepare to identify and isolate suspected EVD cases by following recommendations outlined below: 

• Obtain a travel history on all patients presenting with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and/or non-specific flu-like illness
• If there is a suspicion for EVD based on symptoms and travel within the last 21 days to Uganda, immediately notify the Monterey County Health Department’s Communicable Disease Unit.
  • Call 831-755-4521 during normal business hours. 
  • Outside of normal business hours, call 831-755-5100 and ask for the Hazardous Materials Team. They will connect you with the on-call public health professional.   
• Isolate the patient in a single room with a private bathroom and limited access, if possible.  Keep a log of all individuals who enter the room.  Utilize a negative pressure room for any aerosol generating procedures (AGPs).  AGPs should be avoided unless critical for care.   
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for the patient.   
  • Use at least standard, contact, and droplet precautions (gloves, surgical mask, eye protection, and fluid-resistant gown) while in the patient’s room.  Use of a respirator is recommended during AGPs. 
• Limit laboratory testing to essential tests.  Laboratories should contact the Health Department’s Public Health Laboratory at 831-755-4516 for technical assistance, including how to arrange for EVD testing. 
  • Healthcare providers should call the MCHD Communicable Disease Unit to report a suspected case before calling the laboratory to coordinate testing. 

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