WHO advises double-gloving and better protection for the face in new guidance on Ebola gear

GENEVA – The U.N. health agency is updating its guidelines for health workers dealing with the deadly Ebola virus, recommending tougher measures such as doubling up on gloves and making sure the mouth, nose and eyes are better protected from contaminated droplets and fluids.

But the World Health Agency says the choice of equipment is much less important than the way it’s used.

Dr. Edward Kelley, director of service delivery and safety for WHO, told reporters Friday the updated guidelines call for wearing one of two materials for gowns or coveralls and “an absolute recommendation for double-gloving that didn’t exist before.”

Doctors Without Borders already recommends some of its staff in high-risk jobs, like cleaning Ebola treatment centres or handling bodies of Ebola victims, wear two or three pairs of gloves.