The role of WASH and infection prevention control in an Ebola treatment centre

Since February 2014, an EVD (Ebola Virus Disease) epidemic has been affecting West Africa. Since the beginning of the outbreak, and during the first phase of the response, the emphasis has been placed on the containment of the epidemic through the case management and isolation of patients. Following MSF and WHO guidelines for EVD response, SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL launched a WASH program in November 2014 to support the management on an Ebola Treatment Centre (ETC) in the district of Moyamba in Sierra Leone. This paper presents the specific roles and responsibilities that WASH actors can undertake in the management of an ETC during an EVD outbreak. The main objectives of WASH response are to ensure staff safety and to limit the risk of contamination inside and outside the ETC through water supply and chlorination, operation and maintenance of sanitation facilities, Infection Prevention Control (IPC) activities, dead body management and safe burial.