High Consequence Infectious Disease Surge

Overview

Over the last twenty years the world has faced many High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) outbreaks that have traveled from country to country. Recent outbreaks such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS_CoV) in Saudi Arabia (2018); ongoing Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 2018; Lassa Fever in Nigeria (2018); and Nipah Virus in India (2018) serve as a reminder that there are many HCIDs circulating at any given time. These outbreaks generate substantial public health, security, and economic consequences.

Although HCIDs are uncommon in our state, they remain a serious threat to the health of Minnesotans. Planning for these HCID is very important.

On this page:
Definition
Tools and Resources
Plans and Guidance Documents
Additional Resources

Definition

A High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) is defined by the Minnesota HCID Collaborative (MDH, Mayo Clinic, UMMC, Minnesota Hospital Association, Minnesota Health Care Coalitions, Minnesota HCID-Ready EMS services) as a disease that include any confirmed or suspected infection with a pathogen that meets either of the following criteria:

• Pathogens for which all forms of medical waste (including patient excreta, secreta, blood, tissue, tissue swabs, and specimens in transport media) are classified as category A infectious substances (UN2814) by the U.S. Department of transportation;

Or

• A pathogen with the potential to cause a high mortality rate among otherwise healthy people and
  • At least some types of direct clinical specimens pose generalized risks to laboratory personnel
  • Known risk of secondary airborne spread within health care settings or unknown mode of transmission
  • No  routine vaccine exists

Tools and Resources

• Airborne Infectious Disease Management (PDF)
  Methods for temporary negative pressure isolation. Dated 2007, but content reviewed 2019. Some links may be out of date.
  
  
• High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) Toolbox for Frontline Health Care Facilities
  Provides ready-to-use tools for Frontline facilities to prepare a response for patients who may have an HCID. Helps facilities meet CMS emergency preparedness regulatory requirements for training and testing programs and more. The toolbox includes: Sample need assessments; Multi-year planning, training, and exercise plan; screening Guidance; Training resources; and the Readiness Binder.
  
  
• Region V Ebola Virus Disease Transportation and Coordination Plan (YouTube: 32 minutes)
  This webinar gives an overview of the process for safe transport of an Ebola patient within Health and Human Services Region 5, including roles, responsibilities, and coordination processes.
  

Plans and Guidance Documents

Ebola Concept of Operations

• All-Hazards Response and Recovery Plan: Ebola Virus Disease (PDF)
  A structure for how MDH and partners would operate if there was an Ebola outbreak. July, 2018.

Transportation of Patients with HCIDs

• Ebola or High Consequence Infectious Disease Ambulance Transport - Hospital Guidance
  Hospital guidance on how to contact the appropriate EMS agency for safe transport of patients with high consequence infectious diseases such as Ebola.
  
  
• Ebola or High Consequence Infectious Disease Ambulance Transport - EMS Guidance
  Identification of the licensed ambulance services who have agreed to transport suspect or confirmed high consequence infectious disease patients, such as those with Ebola in Minnesota.

Additional Resources

Capacity Building Resources

You can receive technical assistance related to the delivery of care for patients with Ebola or other special pathogens.

• ASPR TRACIETechnical Assistance Request (PDF) 
• NETEC Request Technical Assistance
  Phone, email, or in-person visits.

Educational Resources

• Precept CDC Poster for Donning and Doffing 
• CDC Ebola-Associate Waste Management
• ASPR Tracie: EMS Infectious disease playbook