Table 1. Summary of recommended public health actions and school actions for 

persons with potential Ebola exposure, by risk category as determined by public 

health authorities

To whom these public health actions 

apply per Interim U.S. Guidance for 

Monitoring and Movement of Persons 

with Potential Ebola Exposure

Public health actions 

based on individual risk 

assessment conducted by 

public health authorities

Actions recommended for schools 

Applies to persons who pose no identifiable 

risk to others, as determined by the local 

public health authority. This includes people 

who have: 

•	 Contact with a person who is not 

showing symptoms after that person 

was in contact with a person with 

Ebola, including household contacts of 

asymptomatic persons who recently 

returned from a country with widespread 

Ebola transmission;

•	 Contact with a person with Ebola before 

the person developed symptoms;

•	 Traveled to a country with widespread 

transmission of Ebola more than 21 

days ago;

•	 Been in a country where there is no 

widespread Ebola transmission (e.g., 

the United States), and having no other 

exposures to Ebola.

No actions needed. No actions needed.

Everyone in this category as well as their household contacts should be allowed to attend school for 

their education or work.
Applies to most persons in the low (but not 

zero) risk category, as determined by the 

local public health authority.

Active monitoring. People in this category should be allowed to attend school.

If during active monitoring a person in this category has symptoms1

 possibly suggestive of Ebola:

•	 While not at school, the person must stay home, and promptly contact the public health authority, who will determine whether a medical evaluation is needed and if the person should stay at 

home after the evaluation (e.g., if the symptoms are caused by a disease other than Ebola) or be 

isolated at a hospital, if Ebola is suspected.

•	 While at school, follow recommendations provided in the section Responding to situations 

when a person with symptoms suggestive of Ebola comes to school.

Applies to some persons in the low (but not 

zero) risk category, as determined by the 

local public health authority.

Direct active monitoring

without restrictions on travel, 

work, public conveyances, or 

group gatherings.

Persons in this category should be allowed to attend school.

If during direct active monitoring a person in this category shows symptoms1

 possibly suggestive 

of Ebola:

•	 While not at school, the person must stay home, and promptly contact the public health 

authority, who will determine whether a medical evaluation is needed and if the ill person 

should stay at home after the evaluation (e.g., if the symptoms are caused by a disease other 

than Ebola) or be isolated at a hospital, if Ebola is suspected.

•	 While the person is at school, follow recommendations provided in the section Responding 

to situations when a person with symptoms suggestive of Ebola comes to school. 
Applies to persons in the some risk category, 

as determined by the local public health 

authority.

Direct active monitoring.

Public health authorities may 

consider additional movement 

restrictions, such as exclusion 

from all long-distance 

commercial and local public 

conveyances, public places, 

group gatherings, workplaces, 

and school, based on a specific 

assessment of the situation.

Public health authorities may ask persons in this category to remain out of school until 21 days 

following their last potential exposure, especially when the person is a child / minor. 

If it is decided that a person in this category should remain out of school, see U.S. Department of 

Education’s supplemental guidance on continuity of teaching and education opportunities, as well as 

the Department’s guidance on providing services to children with disabilities during extended student 

absences.

If during direct active monitoring a person in this category who is allowed to go to school shows 

symptoms1 possibly suggestive of Ebola:

•	 While not at school, the person must stay home, and promptly contact the public health 

authority, who will determine whether a medical evaluation is needed and if the person should 

stay at home after the evaluation (e.g., if symptoms are caused by a disease other than Ebola) or 

be isolated at a hospital, if Ebola is suspected.

•	 While at school, follow recommendations provided in the section Responding to situations 

when a person with symptoms suggestive of Ebola comes to school.

Applies to persons in the high risk category, 

as determined by the local public health 

authority.

Direct active monitoring,

with exclusion from all longdistance and local commercial 

public conveyances, public 

places, congregate gatherings, 

workplaces, and school.

Since schools are a congregate setting, people in this category will remain out of school while 

restrictions are in place. They should also not visit other public places and large gatherings. 

For people who will remain out of school for 21 days, see U.S. Department of Education’s supplemental 

guidance on continuity of teaching and education opportunities, as well as the Department’s guidance 

on providing services to children with disabilities during extended absences.

1

Ebola symptoms include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal (stomach) pain, unexplained hemorrhage 

(bleeding or bruising).

U.S Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CS253047 DEC 2, 2014