Which waste disposal method is acceptable for treating patients with confirmed or suspected Ebola?

• A. Autoclaving
• B. Shredding
• C. Air drying
• D. Bleaching

Answer: (A)

Waste from patients with Ebola must be treated in a way that reliably inactivates the virus before disposal. Autoclaving uses moist heat under pressure to sterilize contaminated materials, destroying viruses and other pathogens throughout the waste. This ensures that all potentially infectious material is rendered nonhazardous before it leaves the healthcare setting.

Shredding alone does not inactivate pathogens; it may even spread contamination and isn’t a sterilization step. Air drying doesn’t kill viruses. Bleaching can disinfect surfaces, but chemical disinfection is not a dependable method for treating solid medical waste destined for disposal, where complete inactivation is required.

So, autoclaving provides the proven, comprehensive inactivation needed for Ebola-contaminated waste, making it the appropriate treatment method.