Ebola diagnostics

2.1 Sample collection procedures

2.1.1 Blood sample

2.1.1.2 Interpreting results

  • It is possible to get false negatives with samples collected in the early phases of infection - if such is the case, a sample should be collected again

  • To increase sensitivity, samples can be collected at 3 day intervals

  • IgG alone are not sufficient to diagnose acute Ebola Virus Disease because IgG persist from a previous infection even after the person has recovered and is no longer contagiousv

  • IgG/IgM cross-reaction with other pathogens is possible

  • New VHF strains or viruses may appear which could potentially not be easily detected