New WHO Guidelines Aim to Prevent Ebola and Marburg Outbreaks from Escalating

The World Health Organization has released a new global guideline to help countries prevent Ebola and Marburg outbreaks through stronger infection control, safer use of protective equipment and faster outbreak response systems. The report stresses that better preparedness, early screening and stronger hospital safety measures are critical to protecting health workers and stopping future epidemics from spreading.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a major new guideline designed to help countries prevent Ebola and Marburg outbreaks from turning into large-scale health disasters. Developed with support from organizations and institutions including Médecins Sans Frontières, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Tufts University and the University of Toronto, the report brings together lessons learned from years of deadly outbreaks across Africa.

WHO says the new guidance is urgently needed as Ebola and Marburg outbreaks continue to appear more frequently, putting pressure on fragile health systems and frontline health workers. The agency argues that outbreaks become far more dangerous when hospitals and clinics are unprepared to stop infections from spreading inside their own facilities.

Infection Control at the Heart of Outbreak Response

A key message of the report is that infection prevention and control, commonly known as IPC, must become a core part of every health system. According to WHO, poor infection control during earlier Ebola outbreaks led to infections among doctors, nurses, cleaners and patients, helping the virus spread rapidly through communities.

The guideline stresses that outbreak preparedness is not only about emergency treatment centres or vaccines. It also depends on basic systems such as clean water, proper sanitation, staff training, patient screening and safe handling of infectious waste. WHO says strong IPC systems can save lives by reducing hospital-based transmission and protecting health workers from exposure.

The report also warns against relying too heavily on personal protective equipment alone. During previous outbreaks, many workers wore extremely heavy protective suits for long periods in hot climates, leading to exhaustion and mistakes during removal. WHO now says excessive PPE can sometimes increase contamination risks instead of reducing them.

New Focus on Practical and Safer Protection

The guideline introduces a more balanced approach to protective equipment. WHO recommends different levels of PPE depending on the level of risk. For example, health workers conducting screening activities from a safe distance may not need full protective equipment. However, staff directly caring for Ebola or Marburg patients should wear fluid-resistant coveralls, masks, eye protection and double gloves.

The agency strongly discourages practices seen during earlier outbreaks, such as spraying disinfectant directly onto health workers during PPE removal. WHO says there is no evidence that spraying improves safety and warns that it may expose workers to harmful chemicals.

The report also promotes alcohol-based hand rubs as the preferred option for hand hygiene, replacing the widespread use of chlorine solutions that became common during past outbreaks.

The "IPC Ring" Strategy

One of the report's most important recommendations is the use of an "IPC ring approach." Under this strategy, once a case is detected, health authorities immediately focus resources on the affected area. Rapid response teams disinfect facilities, distribute hygiene kits, train staff, and strengthen screening systems in nearby clinics and communities.

WHO says the approach has already been used during outbreaks in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The goal is to stop transmission quickly before it spreads to wider regions.

The guideline also highlights the importance of early screening and isolation. Everyone entering health facilities in outbreak zones, including patients, visitors and staff, should be checked using non-contact thermometers and symptom questionnaires. Suspected and confirmed cases should ideally be isolated separately to avoid infecting people who may have other illnesses.

Balancing Safety with Human Dignity

While emphasizing strict infection control, WHO also acknowledges the emotional and social impact of isolation during outbreaks. During past Ebola crises, treatment centres were often feared by communities, leading to mistrust and resistance.

The new guideline calls for a more humane approach that allows safe communication between patients and their families whenever possible. WHO says outbreak measures must protect public health without ignoring dignity and mental well-being.

The agency concludes that future Ebola and Marburg outbreaks are likely unavoidable, but large-scale disasters are not. With stronger infection prevention systems, trained health workers and faster response measures, countries can greatly reduce the impact of future epidemics.