Viral Haemorrhagic Fever - Ebola
Viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHF) are characterized by initial non-specific symptoms, including acute onset of fever, myalgia, headache, pharyngitis, diarrhoea, and chest pain. Later signs are more specific to VHF including conjunctivitis, petechiae and morbilliform rash with possible progression to haemorrhagic shock. In severe and fatal forms, the haemorrhagic diathesis may be accompanied by hepatic damage, renal failure, central nervous system involvement and terminal shock with multi-organ dysfunction.
VHFs are not indigenous to Canada but are associated with a number of geographically restricted viruses including:
- Lassa fever
- Marburg virus haemorrhagic fever
- Ebola Virus Disease (formerly Ebola haemorrhagic fever)
- Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever
- Bolivian haemorrhagic fever (Machupo)
- Venezuelan haemorrhagic fever (Guanarito)
Transmission of VHF from person to person is primarily due to contact with virus-infected blood and body fluids, such as urine, vomitus or faeces, or by the use of contaminated needles or syringes in the health care setting. Ebola, Marburg and Lassa viruses can be transmitted by semen for up to three months after clinical recovery. Epidemiological studies of VHF in humans indicate that infection is not transmitted readily from person to person by the airborne route. However, it is recommended that respiratory protection (N95 mask or equivalent) be worn during aerosol generating procedures.