Blue paper form for keeping patient details for use by frontline health workers during the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, 2014-2015

Recording a patient’s details is essential in tracking their condition. This form records information including name, ID, age, temperature, heart rate, pulse, breathing and consciousness. Signs and symptoms are also recorded as well as their treatments and medications. Healthcare workers at used these forms to collect information about the people in their care. Ebola is caused by a virus and is spread through contact with blood and body fluids of someone with the virus.

The West African epidemic of Ebola that began in 2014 was the most widespread outbreak of the virus disease in history—causing major loss of life and disruption to society and the economy, mainly in the countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. It became international news and prompted an international medical response. In June 2016 when Guinea was the last country to be declared free of Ebola, there were more than 28,000 cases and more than 11,000 deaths. Since 2021, a vaccine has been available to protect high-risk populations and frontline workers.