Dangers of Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers

By Allison Kozicharow; Edited by Elizabeth Fine

What are viral hemorrhagic fevers? They are infectious diseases that may damage blood vessels and cause bleeding. VHFs such as Ebola, Marburg, Dengue, yellow fever, and Lassa fever are contracted from contact with animals and sometimes ­­­­­­other humans who are infected.

Symptoms and severity differ according to each distinct type of VHF; however, most VHF diseases share some symptoms in common. Most initially present with fever, fatigue, dizziness, muscle aches and weakness. In their severe state, they can cause life-threatening bleeding under the skin, in internal organs, and bleeding out of the mouth, nose and ears. (See the table below for addition information about symptoms.)

A good way to learn about the most common VHFs is by clicking on WiRED International’s relevant modules (available free of charge, written by medical professionals and peer reviewed):

• Ebola
• Dengue
• Yellow fever
• Lassa fever

Vaccines for many VHFs do not exist and dwindling global supplies of existing vaccines and treatments threaten to endanger more lives and speed disease spread. Contracting a VHF disease most often comes from living in or traveling to areas of the world where these diseases are common — mainly in low-resource countries in Africa, South America and Asia.

Also, in many countries with VHF outbreaks, there is little ability to control human contact with sick or dead animals. Of late an unidentified VHF outbreak is occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The World Health Organization recently reported 431 people stricken and 53 dead from the unnamed virus — a virus that has tentatively been traced to children who ate a bat carcass! (Note that WiRED is preparing a program based on One Health, a philosophy that takes into account the interrelationship between humans, animals and the environment and protects the health of all.)

While there are no specific cures for most VHFs, treatments generally manage the symptoms and prevent complications. Even treatments, though, are lacking in underserved regions and where medical professionals are scarce or absent. Prevention is therefore critical in stemming the spread of these diseases. Consequently, community health workers (CHWs) play a vital role supporting people and teaching them about prevention measures. CHWs also actively practice health surveillance and report symptoms and cases to health authorities.

WiRED will continue to track existing and emerging VHF occurrences and outbreaks — an important health issue that concerns everyone.