- Introduction
Contact tracing is an integral component of the overall strategy for controlling an outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD). Contact tracing is defined as the identification and follow-up of persons who may have come into contact with an infected person. As indicated in Figure 1, contact tracing is an important part of epidemiologic investigation and active surveillance.
1.1 Purpose of contact tracing
Interruption of Ebola virus transmission in the community is premised on the early detection and prompt isolation of new cases. During an EVD outbreak with established person-to-person transmission, new cases are more likely to emerge among contacts . For this reason, it is critical that all potential contacts of suspect, probable and confirmed Ebola cases are systemically identified and put under observation for 21 days (the maximum incubation period of Ebola virus) from the last day of contact. Immediate evacuation of potentially infectious contacts with signs and symptoms of the disease to designated treatment centres or to the nearest healthcare facility prevents high-risk exposure during home-based care, customary burial procedures and other social activities. Contact tracing is therefore one of the most effective outbreak containment measures and must be implemented prudently.
