WHO Issues Interim Guidance on Clinical Care for Survivors of Ebola Virus Disease

There are more than 10,000 survivors of Ebola virus disease (EVD). A number of medical problems have been reported in survivors, including mental health issues. Ebola virus may persist in selected body compartments, most notably in the semen of males. Ebola survivors need comprehensive support for the medical and psychosocial challenges they face and also to minimize the risk of continued Ebola virus transmission, especially from sexual transmission.

Ebola survivors. Courtesy of WHO

There are more than 10,000 survivors of Ebola virus disease (EVD). A number of medical problems have been reported in survivors, including mental health issues. Ebola virus may persist in selected body compartments, most notably in the semen of males. Ebola survivors need comprehensive support for the medical and psychosocial challenges they face and also to minimize the risk of continued Ebola virus transmission, especially from sexual transmission.

The document, Clinical Care for Survivors of Ebola Virus Disease, produced by the World Health Organization (WHO), provides guidance on providing the necessary care and services for clinical care and virus testing, and should be used to guide the planning and delivery of ongoing health services to people who have recovered from EVD. The guidance addresses: planning follow-up of the EVD survivor; common sequelae of Ebola virus disease and recommended evaluation and clinical management; considerations for special populations; monitoring for persistent Ebola virus infection in survivors: guidelines for testing and counseling; infection prevention and control considerations in EVD survivors; and risk communication considerations.

Source: WHO