Infection prevention, protection of health workers and community communication

Three of the six workshop themes in 2016 – protective measures, public education and communication with the population – concern stopping transmission. In VHF outbreaks, infections among health workers and caregivers, unsafe burials and community mistrust have repeatedly amplified spread. Consistent infection prevention and genuine community engagement work together.

Last reviewed: 7 October 2026 · Independent archive

Illustration of a health worker in personal protective equipment beside a hand-hygiene station — Protective measures and communication were central workshop themes. Illustration.

Measures in health facilities

Screening and triage: ask every febrile patient about travel and exposure before close contact.
Isolation: place suspected patients in a single room or designated isolation area with dedicated equipment.
Standard and contact precautions for all patients; additional barrier precautions for suspected VHF.
Hand hygiene before and after patient contact and after removing protective equipment.
Safe injection practices and sharps disposal; never reuse needles or syringes.
Waste management and cleaning of surfaces and linen contaminated with body fluids.
Safe sample handling and transport to reference laboratories – see biosafety.

WHO publishes a framework and toolkit for infection prevention and control outbreak preparedness, as well as rapid assessment tools for IPC and water, sanitation and hygiene in health facilities during Ebola.

Personal protective equipment

For patients with suspected or confirmed VHF, PPE covers skin and mucous membranes: gloves, fluid-resistant gown or coverall, face protection (face shield or goggles) and a medical mask, with a respirator for aerosol-generating procedures. Removing PPE is the highest-risk moment, so trained observers and step-by-step procedures are used.

Safe and dignified burials

Bodies of people who died of Ebola or Marburg remain highly infectious. Safe burial teams protect families while respecting religious and cultural practices. Burials organised without community consent have, in past outbreaks, increased mistrust and the hiding of cases.

Community engagement and risk communication

Public education and dialogue with people in affected areas were explicit workshop themes. Effective risk communication:

explains risks and protective measures in local languages through trusted messengers;
listens to concerns and rumours and responds to them openly;
involves community leaders, health workers and survivors;
gives people practical means to act, such as access to care and hygiene supplies.

WHO maintains a risk communication and community engagement readiness and response toolkit for Ebola disease.

Frequently asked questions

How are health workers protected from VHF?

Through triage, isolation, consistent standard and contact precautions, hand hygiene, appropriate personal protective equipment and trained procedures for putting on and taking off PPE.

Why are burials a risk in Ebola outbreaks?

Bodies of people who died of Ebola remain highly infectious. Safe and dignified burials protect families while respecting cultural practices.

Why is community communication part of outbreak control?

Mistrust and rumours lead to hidden cases and unsafe practices. Engaging communities through trusted messengers improves early reporting and acceptance of protective measures.

Is a medical mask enough when caring for a VHF patient?

No. Protection must cover skin and mucous membranes; respirators are added for aerosol-generating procedures, together with gloves, gown or coverall and eye protection.