Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers

Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are a group of viral illnesses caused by different virus families. Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Illness severity can range from mild to severe, depending on the virus and the individual. In some people, VHF-causing viruses can damage blood vessels and affect blood clotting, leading to bruising or bleeding. Severe disease may involve internal bleeding, organ failure, and death. Examples of VHFs include Ebola disease, Marburg disease, and Lassa fever.

VHF-causing viruses are spread through direct contact with blood or body fluids (such as saliva, vomit, urine, or feces) of an infected person. They can also spread through contact with contaminated objects (like medical equipment), exposure to infected animals (such as rodents or primates), or through bites from infected insects (such as ticks or mosquitoes).

Several VHF-causing viruses circulate in specific endemic regions including parts of Africa, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Public Health Ontario routinely monitors global VHF activity to ensure that endemic VHF agents remain within expected seasonal and historical ranges.

To date, Ontario has never reported a confirmed VHF case.