What Obstetrician-Gynecologists Should Know About Ebola: A Perspective From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Jamieson, Denise J. MD, MPH; Uyeki, Timothy M. MD, MPH; Callaghan, William M. MD, MPH; Meaney-Delman, Dana MD, MPH; Rasmussen, Sonja A. MD, MS
Obstetrics & Gynecology, September 9, 2014 (published ahead of print)

West Africa is currently in the midst of the largest Ebola outbreak in history. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been working closely with other U.S. government agencies and international and nongovernmental partners for several months to respond to this global crisis. Although it is very unlikely that obstetrician–gynecologists (ob-gyns) in the United States will diagnose or treat a patient with Ebola virus disease, it is important that all health care providers are prepared to evaluate and care for these patients. Specifically, U.S. health care providers, including ob-gyns, should ask patients about recent travel and should know the signs and symptoms of Ebola virus disease and what to do if assessing a patient with compatible illness. This article provides general background information on Ebola and specifically addresses what is known about Ebola virus disease in pregnancy and the implications for practicing ob-gyns in the United States.