The outbreak of Ebola should have everyone in the hospitality industry on their guard to be vigilant protecting the safety of both guests and staff. Airlines that have carried passengers who have been exposed to the virus have had to take measures to disinfect planes, and screening procedures are being stepped up at airports.
Thus far, there have been no incidents involving hotels specifically, but all hoteliers should be taking proactive measures to be ready for any eventuality. Here are some suggested steps:
1. Know what you’re dealing with
Ebola is a virus transmitted to people from wild animals, but it spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission. The first Ebola virus disease (EVD) appeared with two simultaneous outbreaks in 1976 in the Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The latter occurred in a village near the Ebola River, from which the disease takes its name. The first cases in the current and most severe outbreak were diagnosed in West Africa in March 2014.
How Ebola is transmitted
Ebola spreads through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids.
People remain infectious as long as their blood and body fluids, including semen and breast milk, contain the virus. Men who have recovered from the disease can still transmit the virus through their semen for up to 7 weeks after recovery from illness.
Symptoms
The incubation period, that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms is 2 to 21 days. Humans are not infectious until they develop symptoms. First symptoms are the sudden onset of fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding (e.g. oozing from the gums, blood in the stools).
The average EVD case fatality rate is around 50%, but with various cases it ranges from 25-90 percent. Early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival. There is, as yet , no licensed treatment proven to neutralise the virus but a range of blood, immunological and drug therapies are under development.
Health workers treating patients with suspected or confirmed illness are at higher risk of infection than other groups. The risk of a tourist or businessman/woman becoming infected with Ebola virus during a visit to the affected areas and developing disease after returning is extremely low. Transmission requires direct contact with blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected living or dead persons or animals, all of which are unlikely exposures for the average traveller.
2. Brief your teams
Ensure you brief your teams to be vigilant for signs of potential illness and to recognise and report guests with symptoms. Everyone should be briefed, but most particularly those most prone to exposure including:
- Housekeeping
- Laundry
- Food and Beverage Service
- Stewarding
- Car Park Attendants
- Medical Team
3. Review your processes
While thankfully, at this time, it is still likely that the Ebola threat can be contained, it is the perfect time to review your hotel’s infectious diseases plans and procedures. Make certain:
- All medical and emergency contact lists are up-to-date with current phone numbers, doctor’s names and accessible medical centres and hospitals.
- Procedures for all incidents requiring medical assistance at the property are clearly written down and easily accessible to anyone who may be on call.
- All medical incidents logged involving any Ebola-related symptoms – fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function or bleeding – are reported to the General Manager immediately.
- As Ebola is transmitted through bodily fluids, including linen and clothing, ensure your teams have sufficient and up-to-date personal protection equipment and clothing (PPE).
- Make sure all staff are trained on how to use and dispose of PPE properly.
4. Communicate your care
Most hotels will not have to deal with Ebola exposure; however there are some that face a higher risk:
- Properties located in areas with known outbreaks
- Airport properties with direct flights from areas with known outbreaks
- Properties that transit guests between their home countries and areas with known outbreak
- Properties who regularly host international guests.
If you fit in one of those categories, you should consider informing your guests at check-in about your steps to be vigilant and your measures to responsibly protect them while in your hospitality. Without being alarmist, a positive message conveying your position and requesting identification of any guests who have travelled to known regions where Ebola has been identified will portray your operation as being proactive in your care for your guests.
Have you recently briefed your teams on procedures for dealing with infectious diseases or other medical emergencies? Are there other precautionary steps you would recommend? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
