Organization of patient care during the Ebola hemorrhagic fever epidemic in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1995

In contrast with procedures in previous Ebola outbreaks, patient care durin g the 1995 outbreak in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo, was centra lized for a large number of patients. On 4 May, before the diagnosis of Ebo la hemorrhagic fever (EHF) was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an isolation ward was created at Kikwit General Hospital. On 11 May, an international scientific and technical committee established as a priority the improvement of hygienic conditions in the hospital and th e protection of health care workers and family members; to this end, protec tive equipment was distributed and barrier-nursing techniques were implemen ted. For patients living far from Kikwit, home care was organized. Initiall y, hospitalized patients were given only oral treatments; however, toward t he end of the epidemic, infusions and better nutritional support were given , and 8 patients received blood from convalescent EHF patients. Only 1 of t he transfusion patients died (12.5%). It is expected that with improved med ical care, the case fatality rate of EHF could be reduced.