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Currently, DHSS and the CDC are monitoring travelers from impacted regions; these individuals have been instructed to contact public health prior to seeking medical care to minimize walk-in exposures. However, vigilance is still required at our triage and entry points.
Immediate Action for Suspected Cases
Ebola testing should only be performed in consultation with public health authorities. If you identify a patient with compatible symptoms and epidemiologic risk factors (including recent travel to affected regions within the past 21 days):
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DO NOT perform unnecessary specimen collection.
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IMMEDIATELY contact DHSS (available 24/7) at 1-800-392-0272 and local public health.
DHSS will handle the risk assessment, testing eligibility, coordination with the CDC, and public health notification.
Specimen Collection & Handling
If DHSS approves testing, you must adhere to the following safety protocols to ensure containment:
- Limit specimen collection to essential diagnostic testing only.
- Don all appropriate, protocol-specific PPE during collection and handling.
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DO NOT use pneumatic tube systems under any circumstances.
- Minimize handling and transport within the facility.
- Collect whole blood in plastic EDTA tubes (per CDC/DHSS guidance).
Packaging & Shipping Requirements
Healthcare facilities must not independently ship specimens. DHSS will coordinate all shipment pick-ups with the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory. All Ebola specimens must be packaged as a Category A Infectious Substance (UN 2814), requiring:
- Triple packaging (leak-proof primary, leak-proof secondary with absorbent material, and rigid labeled outer packaging).
- Handling only by personnel properly trained and certified for Category A shipping.
- Strict chain-of-custody documentation.
Next Steps for Department Leaders
Clinical and laboratory leaders should:
- Review internal specimen handling procedures with your teams.
- Verify staff training/certification for Category A packaging.
- Ensure PPE and shipping supplies are readily available in your units.
Additional Resources
Thank you for your continued partnership and for maintaining the protocols that keep our staff, patients, and community safe.
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Eric Hueste, Administrator
Office of Emergency Coordination
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Eric.Hueste@health.mo.gov 573-751-6087
P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
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Confidentiality Statement:- This email is from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. It contains confidential or privileged information that may be protected from disclosure by law. Unauthorized disclosure, review, copying, distribution, or use of this message or its contents by anyone other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately destroy this message and notify the sender at the following email address Eric.Hueste@health.mo.gov or by calling 573.751.6087. Thank you.
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