Hospital Dr. Gustavo Fricke in Viña del Mar conducts successful Ebola simulation drill

The adult emergency unit of Hospital Dr. Gustavo Fricke in Viña del Mar, Chile, carried out a full‑scale Ebola simulation on 6 August 2026. The drill, coordinated with the regional health authority (Seremi de Salud) and the Servicio de Salud Viña del Mar Quillota Petorca, involved a mock patient who reported recent travel to Africa and presented fever and stomach pain. Health staff promptly isolated the patient, used personal protective equipment—including overalls, gloves, goggles and shoe covers—and followed protocols for transport to a designated referral centre.

Dr. Erich Liebig, the hospital’s Coordinator of Emergencies and Disasters, said the exercise “has allowed us to assess our skills, identify any gaps in the use of protective gear, and improve patient flow for infectious‑contagious cases.” The simulation was overseen by the Subdirección Médica, the Subdirección de Gestión del Cuidado and the Unit of Infections Associated with Health Care (IAAS). Dra. Karen Ducasse, acting head of IAAS, highlighted its relevance, noting that it was prompted by a World Health Organization alert on Ebola. The hospital plans to replicate the drill across other primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities in the region.