Canadian Doctors Struggle To Discover Congolese Woman's Disease
HAMILTON, Canada-Health officials at Henderson General Hospital in Hamilton, Canada, are scratching their heads and readjusting their microscopes.
They do not know what is making a Congolese woman sick, but they do know it isn't the Ebola virus as previously thought.
The 32-year-old woman traveled from Democratic Republic of Congo to Toronto two weeks ago and was brought to the hospital February 4. She had the symptoms of a hemorrhagic fever and considering her travel history, doctors went into an emergency contingency plan and secluded the patient. They immediately suspected Ebola, which was named after a river in the Democratic Republic of Congo where the virus was discovered in 1976.
However, tests soon showed that the woman was not ill with the Ebola or Lassa hemorrhagic fevers. She has been diagnosed with low-grade malaria--a disease that is part of most Africans' everyday life.
Tests have taken away fears that the woman may have infected up to 70 people at the hospital before she was isolated. Doctors now think the woman is not a public threat. They have ruled out all known level 4 diseases--the most infectious viruses that require the most security from accidental contamination.
The woman, whose identity still has not been released, is near death. Doctors do not know if they will be able to diagnose what is making her ill.
Happy Hand Hygiene Day! Rethinking Glove Use for Safer, Cleaner, and More Ethical Health Care
May 5th 2025Despite their protective role, gloves are often misused in health care settings—undermining hand hygiene, risking patient safety, and worsening environmental impact. Alexandra Peters, PhD, points out that this misuse deserves urgent attention, especially today, World Hand Hygiene Day.
From the Derby to the Decontam Room: Leadership Lessons for Sterile Processing
April 27th 2025Elizabeth (Betty) Casey, MSN, RN, CNOR, CRCST, CHL, is the SVP of Operations and Chief Nursing Officer at Surgical Solutions in Overland, Kansas. This SPD leader reframes preparation, unpredictability, and teamwork by comparing surgical services to the Kentucky Derby to reenergize sterile processing professionals and inspire systemic change.
Show, Tell, Teach: Elevating EVS Training Through Cognitive Science and Performance Coaching
April 25th 2025Training EVS workers for hygiene excellence demands more than manuals—it requires active engagement, motor skills coaching, and teach-back techniques to reduce HAIs and improve patient outcomes.
The Rise of Disposable Products in Health Care Cleaning and Linens
April 25th 2025Health care-associated infections are driving a shift toward disposable microfiber cloths, mop pads, and curtains—offering infection prevention, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency in one-time-use solutions.
