DISASTER! - Homeland Security and Emergency Management ...

Viral hemorrhagic [hem-o-RAJ-ik] fevers (VHFs) - are a group of diseasesor illnesses caused by several families of viruses. There are manytypes of VHFs - some the public may recognize are Ebola, Marburg orhantavirus. Some VHFs cause mild reactions or illnesses while others aredeadly. Most VHFs are highly contagious and associated with bleeding(hemorrhage), but that’s usually not life-threatening. In severe cases, theoverall vascular - or blood vessel - system is damaged so the body can’tregulate itself thus causing organs to shut down.Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are quite an extensive and complex topicso we are only mentioning it here since it’s on the CDC’s Category A list.Both the CDC and the Public Health Agency of Canada cover VHFs atlength on their web sites if you would like to learn more. We’re just brieflyexplaining how it can spread and listing some general signs and symptomsin the event you ever hear about “viral hemorrhagic fevers” in the news.How it spreads: Most viruses associated with VHFs naturally reside inanimals (mice or other rodents) or insects (ticks or mosquitoes). Some VHFviruses could spread to humans by the bite of an infected insect or bybreathing in or touching an infected animal’s pee, poop, or other bodyfluids. (For example, a person crawling in a rat-infested area could stir upand breathe in a virus, or someone slaughtering livestock infected by aninsect bite could also spread the virus.) Some other viruses spread person toperson through close contact with an infected person’s body fluids.Signs & Symptoms: Signs vary (from minor to deadly) by the type ofVHF, but first symptoms often include sudden fever, fatigue (very tired),dizziness, weakness and headache. Person could also have a sore throat,abdominal pain, puking, and diarrhea. Severe cases often show signs ofbleeding under the skin, in internal organs, or from the mouth, eyes, or ears.Blood loss is not usually life-threatening, but the damaged vascular systemcan cause shock, coma, seizures, organ failure or death.Treatment: There is no specific cure or vaccine for most VHFs.Hospitalization and supportive care can be given in strict isolation to preventthe virus from spreading to others, but care mainly helps symptoms.Keeping rodents and mosquitoes out of your home is good prevention.BEFORE A BIOLOGICAL ATTACK:Watch & listen for signs - Many biological agents do not give immediate“warning signs” -- and most symptoms show up hours or days later so it’shard to say what to watch for, but learn about some common agents (seeprevious pages) and stay current by listening to radio and TV reports to hearwhat local authorities tell people to do -- and DO it!106 www.itsadisaster.net or call 1-888-999-4325