Ebola Virus Preparedness @ AMC

Preparedness for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)

at Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), Visakhapatnam

Dr Vikram Vardhan , Professor of General Medicine

Objectives

• Early identification of suspected Ebola cases
• Prevention of hospital transmission
• Protection of healthcare workers
• Rapid isolation and containment
• Coordination with public health authorities

Key Components of Preparedness

1. Surveillance & Screening

• Screening of patients with:
  • Fever
  • Hemorrhagic manifestations
  • Travel history to endemic countries
  • Contact with suspected Ebola cases
• Dedicated triage and fever screening area at hospital entry
• Immediate notification to:
  • District Surveillance Unit
  • State Surveillance Officer
  • Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP)

2. Isolation Facilities

• Dedicated Ebola Isolation Ward
• Separate:
  • Suspect area
  • Confirmed case area
  • Donning & Doffing rooms
• Restricted visitor access
• Negative pressure rooms if available
• Dedicated ICU beds for critical patients

3. Infection Prevention & Control (IPC)

Strict Standard Precautions

• Hand hygiene protocols
• PPE usage:
  • N95 masks
  • Face shields
  • Double gloves
  • Impermeable gowns
  • Shoe covers
• Biomedical waste segregation and disposal
• Environmental disinfection using approved disinfectants

4. Healthcare Worker Safety

• Training on:
  • Donning & doffing PPE
  • Safe sample handling
  • Needle-stick injury prevention
• Regular mock drills
• Staff vaccination updates
• Psychological support for healthcare workers

5. Laboratory Preparedness

• Safe collection and transport of samples
• Triple-layer packaging system
• Coordination with:
  • NIV Pune
  • Designated VRDL laboratories
• Biosafety Level precautions during handling

6. Clinical Management Preparedness

Supportive Management

• Fluid & electrolyte management
• Hemodynamic monitoring
• Oxygen support
• Management of shock and bleeding

Emergency Preparedness

• Ventilator support availability
• Emergency drugs and resuscitation kits
• Dedicated rapid response team

7. Public Health Coordination

• Coordination with:
  • District Health Department
  • State Surveillance Units
  • Airport & Port Health Authorities
• Contact tracing mechanisms
• Quarantine and monitoring protocols

8. Training & Capacity Building

• CME / Workshops on Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
• Simulation exercises
• Interdepartmental coordination meetings
• Awareness programs for:
  • Doctors
  • Nurses
  • Sanitation staff
  • Security personnel

9. Logistics & Resource Management

• Adequate stock of:
  • PPE kits
  • Masks
  • Sanitizers
  • Disinfectants
  • IV fluids
• Emergency transport arrangements
• Dedicated ambulance with infection control protocols

10. Communication Strategy

• Public awareness and risk communication
• Avoidance of panic and misinformation
• Media coordination through authorized spokespersons

Proposed Institutional Measures at IDH, Visakhapatnam

• Constitution of Hospital Ebola Preparedness Committee
• Formation of Rapid Response Teams
• Periodic mock drills ( 29th May 2026 ) and audits
• Integration with AMC–KGH emergency preparedness systems
• Coordination with District Collectorate & Health Department