DHSS Shares Protocols For Suspected HCID And Ebola Cases

While the U.S. risk for the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak remains low, maintaining vigilance at acute-care entry points is essential. To support statewide alignment, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services shared a bulletin with established protocols for Ebola testing and specimen shipment coordination. The Missouri Hospital Association encourages hospitals to share these key takeaways and the recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COCA call recording with their emergency department and laboratory leadership.

Key Takeaways for Clinical Alignment

• Consult Before Collecting: Hospitals are asked to contact DHSS (1-800-392-0272) or their local public health agency for authorization before any testing or specimen collection for suspected cases.
• Immediate Containment: Suspected patients require immediate isolation; please ensure pneumatic tube systems are explicitly avoided for handling suspected specimens.
• Centralized Logistics: To reduce the logistical burden on local facilities, DHSS and the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory will coordinate all Category A (UN 2814) shipping and chain of custody.
• Readiness Verification: We encourage leaders to verify that Identify, Isolate and Inform protocols are active, and your front-line teams are comfortable with that process.

Health care providers with questions or concerns regarding suspected cases should contact their local public health agency or the DHSS Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (available 24/7). MHA updated its website and will continue to monitor the situation, providing updates as additional information becomes available.