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										Ebolaviruses spread through contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. They can enter the body through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth. This can easily happen by touching one’s face with contaminated hands.
Hand hygiene (including alcohol-based hand rubs, soap and water, and correct glove use) is a basic component of personal and community hygiene and is an important way to prevent the spread of infections while providing healthcare. Correct hand hygiene lowers the number of germs on the hands and limits the opportunity for spread, including dangerous germs, like ebolaviruses.
Proper hand hygiene methods are described below. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are the preferred method for cleaning your hands in most clinical situations. When hands are visibly soiled with blood or other body fluids, wash hands with soap and water.
Use **alcohol-based hand sanitizer** when hands are not visibly soiled. These products usually contain 60-95% ethanol or isopropanol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer **should not be used** when hands are visibly soiled with dirt, blood, or other body fluids.
Use **soap and water** when hands are visibly soiled with dirt, blood, or other body fluids and as an alternative to alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Antimicrobial soaps are not proven to offer benefits over washing hands [PDF – 1 page] with plain soap (not containing antimicrobial compounds) and water.
Use mild (0.05%) chlorine solution [PDF – 1 page] in settings where hand sanitizer and soap are not available. Repeated use of 0.05% chlorine solution can cause skin irritation.Related ResourcesPrevention
Infection Control for Healthcare Workers
Cleaning and Disinfecting
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  March 23, 2023						Source: 	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology (DHCPP), Viral Special Pathogens Branch (VSPB)
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What is Ebola Disease?
Transmission
Signs and Symptoms
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Handwashing
Diagnosis
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History of Ebola Outbreaks
Ebola Disease Distribution Map: Cases of Ebola Disease in Africa Since 1976
September 2022 Uganda, Mubende District
August 2022 Democratic Republic of the Congo, North Kivu
April 2022 Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equateur Province
October 2021 Democratic Republic of the Congo, North Kivu Province
2021 Guinea, N’Zérékoré Prefecture
February 2021 Democratic Republic of the Congo, North Kivu Province
2020 Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equateur Province
2018 Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congoplus icon
Overview
What’s New
What CDC is Doing
Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo Ebola Outbreak Map
Ebola Communication and Awareness Resources
2018 Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bikoro
2017 Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bas Uélé District
2014–2016 Ebola Outbreak in West Africaplus icon
The Cost of the Ebola Epidemic
2014–2016 Ebola Outbreak Distribution in West Africa
Case Counts
2014 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa Epidemic Curves
2014 Ebola Outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Outbreak Preparedness
Outbreak Response Storiesplus icon
A Focus on Ebola Response
It’s not over until it’s over
Long flights, long days mark vaccine campaign
Roads to Uganda
How community feedback shapes the Ebola response
Ebola outbreak becomes a class act for EIS officers
In the shadow of the volcano
Congo-born CDC photographer rooting for Ebola responders
Fighting Ebola on familiar ground
There’s no silver bullet
Strength In Numbers
Responding to a case of Ebola in Goma
Fighting Ebola: Every day is a Monday
Protecting the Health of Communities
Collaborating across Time Zones
Being Creative in Goma
Crunching the Numbers
Supporting the Laboratory in Uganda
Supporting the Ministry of Health
Protecting Uganda’s Border
Watching DRC’s Border
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Ebola Vaccine: Information about ERVEBO®plus icon
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Request initial doses ERVEBO®
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Screening Patientsplus icon
Guide for Evaluating an Ill Person
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Considerations for Discharging people under evaluation for selected Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHF)
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Survivability of Ebolaviruses in Medical Waste
Handling Ebola-Associated Waste
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Guidance for Confirmed Ebola Patients or Clinically Unstable PUIs
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Ebola PPE Frequently Asked Questions
Non-US Healthcare Settingsplus icon
Preventing Injury from Injections and Sharps in Non-U.S. General Healthcare Settings
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Rationale and Considerations for Chlorine Use in Infection Control for Non- U.S. General Healthcare Settings
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Guide for Monitoring a Returned Traveler
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Preparing Frontline Healthcare Facilities
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Cleaning and Decontaminationplus icon
Guidance for Decontamination and Removal of Ebolavirus-Contaminated Waste for U.S. Residence
Guidance for Handling Untreated Sewage
FAQs: Guidance for Managers and Workers Handling Untreated Sewage from Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Ebola Disease in the U.S.
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