Ebola preparedness drills in Chilean hospitals

Health facilities in Chile have begun conducting simulation drills to prepare for potential Ebola Virus Disease cases following alerts from the World Health Organization and directives from the Ministry of Health.

On 6 August 2026, the Hospital Dr. Gustavo Fricke in Viña del Mar performed a full-scale simulation involving a mock patient with symptoms and recent travel to Africa. The exercise, coordinated with regional health authorities, focused on patient isolation, the use of personal protective equipment, and transport protocols. Dr. Erich Liebig noted the drill helped “assess our skills, identify any gaps in the use of protective gear, and improve patient flow for infectious-contagious cases.”

Following this, Hospital Carlos van Buren conducted its own functional clinical simulation to practice identification, isolation, and patient transfer protocols within its Emergency Unit. This training, which included demonstrations for donning and doffing protective gear, was developed in response to instructions from the Ministry of Health and the Valparaíso-San Antonio Health Service.