What actions should be taken at triage for a patient suspected of exposure to a biological agent?

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In triage, the priority is to prevent transmission and start containment immediately. Place the patient in isolation right away, so others aren’t exposed. Notify infection control to activate the facility’s response and ensure appropriate containment and workflow. Staff should wear the appropriate PPE to protect themselves during assessment and specimen collection, and specimens should be collected safely and contained properly to minimize exposure and preserve diagnostic integrity. Bringing the patient to a general ward would risk exposing others; delaying isolation until test results increases the chance of spread; and decontaminating the entire facility upfront is not the immediate step in triage and would delay essential protective actions.