Special Pathogens of Concern

It is critical that healthcare personnel have knowledge of Ebola and other special pathogens of concern and their implications for healthcare delivery in a biocontainment unit (BCU). In this course, learners will be able to describe pathogen-related factors that may warrant treatment in a biocontainment unit and they will be able to distinguish between concepts of infectious, communicable, and hazardous as they relate to Ebola and other special pathogens of concern. Learners will also be able to describe the clinical presentation of selected special pathogens from the two broad categories: viral hemorrhagic fevers and the highly pathogenic respiratory viruses.