Annals of emergency medicine
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Due to the recent Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa, patients with epidemiologic risk for Ebola virus disease and symptoms consistent with Ebola virus disease are presenting to emergency departments (EDs) and clinics in the United States. These individuals, identified as a person under investigation for Ebola virus disease, are initially screened using a molecular assay for Ebola virus. If this initial test is negative and the person under investigation has been symptomatic for < 3 days, a repeat test is required after 3 days of symptoms to verify the negative result. In the time interval before the second test result is available, manifestations of the underlying disease process for the person under investigation, whether due to Ebola virus disease or some other etiology, may require further investigation to direct appropriate therapy. ⋯ ED processes for the safe and timely evaluation and management of the person under investigation for Ebola virus disease are presented with the ultimate goals of protecting providers and ensuring a consistent level of care while confirmatory testing is pending.