Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers

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Course Objectives

Connect exposure history with symptoms that require escalation
Compare major transmission patterns and their prevention measures
Identify prerequisites for safe collection and specimen transport

Course Content

Course Creator: Kirsten Hermens, NCMA-P

Total CE Hours: 1 Credit Hour

Pace Course #: 586-2807-26

Key Terms:

Viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF)

Hemorrhage

Reservoir

Vector

Incubation period

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)

Serology

Outline:

Introduction and key terms

Recognizing risk and responding early

Exposure history and symptom onset
Identify, isolate, and inform
Recognizing clinical deterioration

Major diseases and exposure patterns

Lassa and South American hemorrhagic fevers
Chapare and Lujo hemorrhagic fevers
Ebola and Marburg diseases
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
Rift Valley fever
Dengue and yellow fever
Hantavirus syndromes
Kyasanur Forest disease and Omsk hemorrhagic fever
Nipah and Hendra as related high-consequence diseases

Safe patient care and specimen collection

Appropriate precautions and PPE
Donning, doffing, and staff preparation
Collection authorization and laboratory notification
Test-specific specimen requirements
Safe collection, transport, and laboratory handoff

Occupational safety and quality improvement

Responding to an occupational exposure
Patient communication and documentation
Improving facility workflows

Application and conclusion

Possible Ebola exposure without visible bleeding
Unannounced specimen reaching the laboratory
Dengue warning signs as fever decreases
Review of safe practice principles

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, April 15). About viral hemorrhagic fevers.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026, August 3). Screening and evaluating an ill person for viral hemorrhagic fevers.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026, September 29). Infection prevention and control recommendations for patients in U.S. hospitals who are suspected or confirmed to have selected viral hemorrhagic fevers.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, January 31). About Lassa fever.
World Health Organization. (2024, December 5). Lassa fever.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, August 22). About Chapare hemorrhagic fever.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, December 10). About Lujo hemorrhagic fever.
World Health Organization. (2025, April 24). Ebola disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026, June 2). Ebola disease basics.
World Health Organization. (2025, January 20). Marburg virus disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, July 1). About Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 14). About Rift Valley fever.
World Health Organization. (2025, August 21). Dengue.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026, February 24). Clinical features of dengue.
World Health Organization. (2025, October 20). Yellow fever.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 13). About hantavirus.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, December 29). About Kyasanur Forest disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, January 25). About Omsk hemorrhagic fever.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026, February 13). About Nipah virus.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, November 19). About Hendra disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 3). PPE for clinically stable patients suspected to have VHF.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 9). PPE—confirmed patients and clinically unstable patients suspected to have VHF.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026, July 1). Laboratory testing for patients with a suspected VHF or high-consequence disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 10). VHF specimen collection.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, August 26). Clinical testing guidance for dengue.