Ebola virus disease: what canadian hospital pharmacists need to know.

The ongoing epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa has been the most catastrophic in history, with widespread transmission in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.1 As of March 2015, there had been over 25 000 probable, suspected, or confirmed cases and more than 10 000 deaths.1Cases have also appeared in other countries, including the United States.1 In response to the epidemic, the Public Health Agency of Canada has worked to improve current response measures, which has included forming Ebola Rapid Response Teams, to be deployed to support provincial and territorial health authorities if necessary.2 Provinces have also designated specially equipped hospitals for treatment of patients with EVD. As members of the health care team, hospital pharmacists require a working knowledge of EVD and its management, given that travel and health care–related EVD transmission is possible in Canada (Table 1).