Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers

Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are a group of severe, life-threatening illnesses caused by viruses such as Ebola, Marburg, and Lassa. Common symptoms of VHFs include fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. VHF-causing viruses can damage blood vessels and may cause unexplained bruising or bleeding, severe internal bleeding, organ failure, and in some cases, death.

VHFs are primarily transmitted 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 regularly circulate in specific endemic regions including parts of Africa, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Increased viral transmission in these regions can lead to VHF outbreaks.