A community based model for the emergency transport of a contact currently under monitoring for the Ebola Viral Disease

The transport of an individual for treatment who is under monitoring for a suspected communicable disease is of significant concern for any public health jurisdiction.  This is of critical importance if the contact is being monitored for a highly publicized communicable disease such as the Ebola Viral Disease (EVD).  On October 15^th, 2014, Summit County Public Health responded to a potential community exposure of EVD from a recently confirmed case whom traveled to the area.  With the potential for medical transport becoming a reality, Summit County created and implemented a transport algorithm if a contact began exhibiting symptoms of EVD.  Through community based planning initiatives Summit County, Ohio established an Ebola Virus Disease Transport Algorithm and Protocol outlining the steps necessary to transport a monitored contact exhibiting EVD symptoms to a designated treatment hospital.  The plan outlined the notification and reporting process, medical assessment and screening process, selection of a viable transport option, and transport to a designated treatment facility.  The developed transport algorithm was fortunately never implemented in a real world situation however serves as a viable option if future contacts under monitoring exhibits symptoms of EVD.  The algorithm was identified as a best practice and was disseminated to local health jurisdictions across the State of Ohio.