Viral haemorrhagic fevers

Viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are a group of rare but potentially life-threatening illnesses caused by viruses.

Some examples of VHF that spread person to person include:

• Ebola virus disease
• Marburg virus disease
• Lassa fever
• Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever
• Lujo

Signs and Symptoms

VHFs cause a sudden and sometimes serious (life-threatening) illness.  It is important that VHF is diagnosed as early as possible to start treatment and reduce the potential spread of infection to others.

Signs and symptoms of VHFs vary depending on the virus but can include:

• fever
• muscle aches and pains
• fatigue (extreme tiredness)
• headache
• sore throat
• abdominal pain
• nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
• rash (red or purple spotted body rash).

Some people recover from the initial illness. If the disease progresses many organs of the body can be affected by bleeding which can cause shock and death.

Transmission

VHF is usually spread person to person through contact with infected body fluids (such as blood, urine, saliva, faeces, vomit, sweat, semen, breastmilk) of a person infected with or who has died from VHF through:

• a break in the skin
• mucosal membrane exposure (Eyes, nose or mouth)
• ingestion
• maternal infection (mother to baby).

Some types of VHF can be spread through sexual contact, sometimes for many months after recovery.

Contact with body fluids during care giving, healthcare or burial/funeral preparations are high risk for the spread of infection.

VHF can also be spread from infected animals (dead or alive). Rats, including their urine, faeces (droppings) and nesting material can transmit Lassa fever and Lujo fever. Bats that live in caves are known to transmit Marburg virus disease. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever can be spread through a tick bite, squashing a tick against the skin, contact with infected animal blood and body fluids or eating infected animal meat or milk.

Diagnosis

VHF is usually diagnosed with a blood test.

Treatment

Early treatment is important for survival in severe cases. It is important that people who may have been exposed to VHF seek immediate medical attention if they become unwell or have signs or symptoms of VHF.

People who are sick with a VHF will need to go to hospital for treatment.

Prevention

Visit Smartraveller, Travel Health Pro or CDC Travel Notices before travel for information on VHF-affected countries and disease outbreaks.

People living in or travelling to and from Africa (particularly Central and Western Africa), the Balkans, the Middle East and some Asian countries may be at risk if countries are affected by cases of disease or outbreaks. The risk of infection is low unless there has been direct exposure to infected body fluids of a person or animal (alive or dead) or a history of tick bite.

• Avoid taking part in burial ceremonies in affected areas.
• Avoid eating of raw or undercooked meat or participation in animal slaughter/butchering.
• Avoid tick-infested areas e.g. long grasses and bushland. If travelling in areas that may be infested with ticks, use insect repellent and wear clothing treated with permethrin.
• Avoid contact with rodents (rats), or areas with signs that rodents are around eg droppings and urine.
• Avoid visiting caves or mines without proper personal protective equipment.
• Practice careful personal hygiene. This includes regular hand washing.

Seek advice before you travel to VHF-affected countries for work, including volunteering in public health or healthcare settings. You must be fully informed about infection control procedures and recommendations.

Seek immediate medical attention if you become ill or feel unwell while travelling in a VHF-affected country. Do not wait until you arrive back in Australia to see a doctor.

Returning travellers

Seek immediate medical attention if you have recently returned from a VHF-affected country and become ill or feel unwell.

It is important that you ring ahead to your GP or the hospital. Mention your symptoms and the countries you have visited.

Help and assistance

If you are in an emergency situation, call 000

Get qualified health advice 24/7 for the cost of a local call, by calling 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)

For further information, please contact your local doctor, community health centre or nearest public health unit.