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Ebola, Marburg, and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs)

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Special pathogens, including viral hemorrhagic fevers, present unique public health concerns as they are highly infectious, contagious, and can be fatal. Special pathogens may result in high cost to individuals, healthcare systems, and society in general.

Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs) are a group of diseases caused by several distinct families of viruses. The term “viral hemorrhagic fever” refers to a condition that affects many organ systems of the body, damages the overall cardiovascular system, and reduces the body’s ability to function on its own. Specific VHFs, such as Ebola virus disease (EVD) and Marburg virus disease (MVD) are rare, but serious, viral diseases that often cause fevers, headaches, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, weakness, muscle pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising. Some VHFs cause relatively mild illness, while others can cause severe, life threatening disease. Most VHFs have no known cure or vaccine.

Hospitals should use the “identify, isolate, inform" strategy during VHF outbreaks.
 

Call the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment:
303-692-2700 or 303-370-9395 (after hours)

Information for the Public

Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHF)

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)

Marburg Virus Disease (MVD)

Information for Healthcare Professionals

Preparing Hospitals for VHFs and Special Pathogens