3. Biosafety in case of suspected Ebola

3.9 Waste management

3.9.2 Waste management special instructions when Ebola is suspected

3.9.2.2 How to dispose of waste

Excreta and liquid waste from the patients need to be disinfected and thrown away in the toilets intended for VHF cases (and exclusively restricted to such use).

All other contaminated waste needs to be burnt in an incinerator (e.g.: an adapted 220 litre barrel, i.e. with holes drilled to ensure enough air intake to keep the fire burning well -> See WHO recommendations) or in a pit.

The incineration needs to take place at least once a day in a location away from walk-off zones. The access to where incineration takes place should be restricted to authorized personnel only. Use of inflammable products makes the incineration easier and makes it possible to reach temperatures high enough for the contaminated matter to be destroyed.

If there is no toilet available which can be reserved for Ebola-suspected patients which can be accessible from the room where they are isolated, bodily fluids can also be disinfected in the incineration pit. In this case, disinfecting products used can also be thrown in the pit and burnt with the flammable waste (One needs to take care that the temperature reached is high enough so that the liquids boil). Verify that materials have completely burnt. The incinerator’s ashes should be put in a pit and covered with some soil. When the pit is nearly full, be sure that it is fully covered with dirt.