On behalf of: Medical Health Officer - NI
Over the past several weeks, we have heard questions from clinical staff about Ebola and what it could mean for Island Health, and we want to provide some additional context about the routine preparedness activities we undertake to ensure our teams are ready to safely respond to infectious diseases. We are sharing the following information to provide clarity, address concerns and ensure everyone understands the measures in place to protect staff, medical staff, patients and volunteers.
Understanding Ebola
There are several important facts about Ebola that can help put the current situation into context:
- Ebola cannot be transmitted before a person develops symptoms. Someone who has been exposed to the virus but is not experiencing symptoms cannot spread the disease.
- Ebola is not an airborne disease. It spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of a person who is sick with Ebola or through contact with contaminated materials.
- Patients under investigation for Ebola may initially be placed on airborne precautions although Ebola is not an airborne infection until the diagnosis is clarified to ensure the safest approach for staff and patients.
- Currently, the risk of Ebola transmission outside of the Democratic Republic of Congo remains extremely low. Between 1976 and May 2026, only 28 Ebola cases were documented outside Africa (25 imported cases and three secondary cases). Published evidence also concludes that the risk of undetected transmission outside Africa is low.
- The Government of Canada currently has public health measures in place for individuals returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda and South Sudan. These measures, including quarantine requirements, are currently in effect until the end of August and will be reviewed by federal authorities.
How Island Health Will Respond
- Our clinical and operational leaders have well-established processes to safely manage patients should they present for care.
- Island Health takes its responsibility to provide a safe work environment seriously. As part of our preparedness efforts, all key staff and physicians at our tertiary sites are receiving in-person training in the use of High Threat Pathogen (HTP) personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as online training in HTP processes and procedures. This training is being provided out of an abundance of caution. It does not reflect an increased risk to Island Health staff or communities, but rather ensures our teams are prepared should a patient meeting the provincial criteria require short-term care.
- Moving forward, HTP PPE training, both online and in-person, will become part of our regular preparedness program to ensure we maintain the knowledge and skills needed to safely respond to rare but high-consequence infectious diseases.
Ebola in Canada and British Columbia
At this time:
- There are no confirmed cases of Ebola in Canada.
- A small number of people have recently returned to Canada from affected areas and are being closely monitored by the federal government while completing mandatory home quarantine.
- If one of these individuals required medical care - whether for Ebola symptoms or an unrelated medical condition - Island Health would provide the necessary care using established provincial protocols.
Thank you for your continued professionalism and commitment to providing safe, high-quality care. We will continue to share updates if the situation changes or if additional guidance is provided by provincial or federal public health authorities.