FactSheet
Safe Handling, Treatment, Transport and
Disposal of Ebola-Contaminated Waste
Workers involved in handling, treatment, transport and disposal of medical,
laboratory and other waste must be protected from exposure to Ebola virus—which
causes Ebola virus disease—and from physical and chemical hazards that may be
associated with waste management tasks.
Ebola is spread primarily through direct contact
with blood or other body fluids of a person who
is ill with Ebola and from contact with objects
contaminated with Ebola virus. Waste generated
from caring for or cleaning up after an Ebola
patient may pose a risk to workers if it is not
handled safely or treated and disposed of properly.
Safe handling, treatment, transport and disposal
of waste that is suspected or known to be
contaminated with Ebola virus begins at the
point the waste is generated (i.e., the point of
origin) and continues through final disposal.
Waste may be generated at the point of origin
during activities such as:
• Using and discarding sharps, dressings, and
other supplies while caring for a patient with
suspected or confirmed Ebola;
• Discarding supplies used for clinical
laboratory testing of samples from a patient
with suspected or confirmed Ebola;
• Cleaning hospital rooms; ambulances,
airplanes, and other vehicles; airport and other
transportation facilities; residences; or other
areas with suspected or confirmed Ebola-virus
contamination; and
• Removing and discarding disposable personal
protective equipment (PPE) after working in
an environment with suspected or confirmed
Ebola-virus contamination.
Waste management steps
at point of origin
• Take steps to minimize solid and liquid wastes.
• Identify a complete chain for waste handling,
collection, treatment, transport and disposal
before the waste is generated. Ensure that waste,
including incinerator ash or other completely
treated materials, has a final place for disposition.
• Create a waste management plan and secure
nec