ABSTRACT
The outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) that occurred in West Africa in 2014–2016 was, by far, the largest in history. Since transmission of Ebola virus does, in fact, require direct contact between body fluid containing the organism in significant quantities and the skin or mucous membranes, containment can be accomplished by adequate barrier precautions and fostered by the separation of infected individuals from other patients and health care facility staff. The use of equipment that essentially covered all potentially exposed skin of the health care worker and guidelines for careful removal of this equipment so as to avoid any exposure after patient contact became routine in the United States in cases where Ebola was suspected. The requirements of effective preparation of a hospital and its staff for the possible arrival of a patient with Ebola infection are significant.
