As the Ebola virus spreads and grows into a global threat, there is a lot of talk about how to keep from catching the potentially deadly disease. From full-body suits to improvised face coverings, here's a look at ways health workers protect themselves in some of the hardest hit areas.
Ebola protection —
As the Ebola virus spreads and grows into a global threat, there is a lot of talk about how to keep from catching the potentially deadly disease. From full-body suits to improvised face coverings, here's a look at ways health workers protect themselves in some of the hardest hit areas.
PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images
Here, a Ukrainian sailor uses a T-shirt as a face mask as he watches Nigerian health workers check the ship he's on for signs of the Ebola virus. The World Health Organization, or WHO, recommends a medical mask to adequately protect the mouth and nose.
Ebola protection —
Here, a Ukrainian sailor uses a T-shirt as a face mask as he watches Nigerian health workers check the ship he's on for signs of the Ebola virus. The World Health Organization, or WHO, recommends a medical mask to adequately protect the mouth and nose.
PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/Getty Images
WHO also recommends boots with closed toes, preferably made from rubber. Here, a man carries disinfected boots back to health workers, who will wear them as they treat infected patients.
Ebola protection —
WHO also recommends boots with closed toes, preferably made from rubber. Here, a man carries disinfected boots back to health workers, who will wear them as they treat infected patients.
PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images
Tape is often used to seal the gap between sleeves and protective gloves. Shoes are often covered with boot protection and extra loose sleeves can be used to protect the underarms.
Ebola protection —
Tape is often used to seal the gap between sleeves and protective gloves. Shoes are often covered with boot protection and extra loose sleeves can be used to protect the underarms.
PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images
Disinfecting after treating infected patients is key, according to WHO protocol.
Ebola protection —
Disinfecting after treating infected patients is key, according to WHO protocol.
John Moore/Getty Images
WHO also recommends aid workers wear long-sleeved gowns made from impermeable material, which can be used in combination with a waterproof apron -- like the one being washed in this photo -- to protect against bodily fluids.
Ebola protection —
WHO also recommends aid workers wear long-sleeved gowns made from impermeable material, which can be used in combination with a waterproof apron -- like the one being washed in this photo -- to protect against bodily fluids.
PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that only people "trained in handling infected human remains, and wearing personal protective equipment, should touch or move any Ebola-infected remains."
Ebola protection —
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that only people "trained in handling infected human remains, and wearing personal protective equipment, should touch or move any Ebola-infected remains."
John Moore/Getty Images
Most people in Ebola-affected areas do not have access to protective suits. Red Cross volunteers have improvised their protective wear and cover their heads with red plastic bags. They cut a hole in the bag to see and breathe.<br />
Ebola protection —
Most people in Ebola-affected areas do not have access to protective suits. Red Cross volunteers have improvised their protective wear and cover their heads with red plastic bags. They cut a hole in the bag to see and breathe.
PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images
The highest standard used in West Africa is a hooded coverall. It is used by Medecins Sans Frontieres. The material used is not ordinary plastic. It is tested to be resistant to contagious liquids such as blood and vomit.
Ebola protection —
The highest standard used in West Africa is a hooded coverall. It is used by Medecins Sans Frontieres. The material used is not ordinary plastic. It is tested to be resistant to contagious liquids such as blood and vomit.
Timm Schamberger/Getty Images
In Liberia, medical staff burn clothes belonging to Ebola patients to help stop the spread of the virus.
Ebola protection —
In Liberia, medical staff burn clothes belonging to Ebola patients to help stop the spread of the virus.
PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images
Ebola protection: From trash bags to space suits

Story highlights

Hospitals should ask whether a patient traveled to an Ebola-affected area

Patients suspected of having Ebola should have their own room and a private bathroom

Putting on protective gear in the right order is critical

CDC director: Even a "single, innocent" slip in protocol can result in contamination

CNN  — 

First, a Texas hospital came under fire for releasing a sick Liberian man without testing him for Ebola. He later became the first person diagnosed with Ebola in the United States and died from the virus.

Then, a nurse who treated the man at the same hospital also came down with Ebola. A top health official said a “breach in protocol” led to that infection.

So what’s the protocol for health care workers if they suspect a patient has the virus that has already killed more than 4,000 people in West Africa?

Go through the checklist

Signs of an Ebola infection include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain or bleeding, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But a key clue is whether the person traveled to an Ebola-affected area – such as Sierra Leone, Liberia or Guinea – in the past three weeks.

That’s because the symptoms of Ebola can take anywhere from two to 21 days to show up.

Isolate the patient

Once Ebola is suspected, the patient should get his or own room, with a private bathroom, the CDC said. And the door to the hallway should remain closed.

Hospitals should maintain a log of everyone who enters the room, the agency said.

It’s also a good idea to keep someone stationed at the patient’s door to make sure everyone going in is wearing the right protective equipment.

Get the right gear

At the very least, those who enter the patient’s room should wear gloves, a gown, eye protection and a face mask.

Sometimes the situation calls for more precautions, such as wearing disposable shoe covers, leg covers and two layers of gloves.

Those extra steps are needed if there is vomit, human waste or “copious amounts of blood” in the room, the CDC said.

Know the right order

It’s not enough to just have protective clothing; putting it on in the right order is just as important.

“The dressing and undressing of (protective wear) should be supervised by another trained member of the team,” the World Health Organization advises.

After donning scrubs, health care workers should put on either boots or closed, water-resistant shoes with overshoes.

Then a waterproof gown should go over the scrubs. If one isn’t available, wear a waterproof apron over a gown.

Next come the face mask, goggles and a head cover, if available.

Finally, after washing their hands, health care workers should put on gloves over the sleeves’ cuffs.

Keep visitors out

It may seem obvious, but it’s important to keep visitors away from the patient’s room.

“Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis for those who are essential for the patient’s wellbeing,” the CDC said.

Keeping visitors away doesn’t just protect them; it also protects hospital workers, patients and others in case the visitor may have contracted Ebola, too.

Those who do visit should be screened for fever and other symptoms.

All this may seem tedious. But every precaution matters, CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden said.

“The care of Ebola can be done safely, but it’s hard to do it safely,” he said. “It requires meticulous and scrupulous attention to infection control, and even a single, innocent, inadvertent slip can result in contamination.”