Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers

All suspect cases of Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers must be reported immediately to Public Health, Communicable Disease Control:

During business hours: 925-313-6740
After hours (County Communications): 925-646-2441

Etiologic Agents

Arenaviradae (Lassa, Junin, Machupo, Guanarito, and Sabia), Filoviradae (Marburg and Ebola), Bunyaviradae (Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever virus and hantaviruses)and Flaviradae (yellow fever and Dengue) can all cause viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF)

Epidemiology

Highly infectious after aerosolization
Infectious dose can be as low as 1-10 organisms
Risk of person-to-person transmission depends on virus

Clinical

Incubation period is 4 - 21 days, depending on virus
Clinical presentation would vary by viral agent; however, dominant clinical features of all are a consequence of microvascular damage and changes in vascular permeability. Fever, myalgia, and prostration may evolve to shock, generalized mucous membrane hemmorhage, and neurologic, hematopoietic, or pulmonary involvement.

Laboratory Diagnosis

Viral isolation should be handled in a Biosafety Level 3 or 4 facility and may take 3 - 10 days
ELISA or reverse transcriptase PCR available for most VHF viruses

Patient Isolation

Isolation room with contact precautions.

Treatment

Ribavirin (30 mg/kg IV × 1, then 15 mg/kg IV q 6 h × 4 days, 7.5 mg/kg IV q 8 × 6 days) may be helpful for Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever or arenaviruses

Prophylaxis

Licensed vaccine available only for yellow fever

For more detailed information, Please call 925-313-6740 or email Francie Wise, Director of Communicable Disease

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Content provided by the Public Health Division of Contra Costa Health Services.