What is viral hemorrhagic fever?
Viral hemorrhagic fever is the collective name given to the diseases caused by a group of viruses such as Ebola virus and Marburg virus. The Ebola virus was named for the river in Zaire where it was discovered. Marburg virus was named for the city in Germany where the disease was first diagnosed. Viral hemorrhagic fever begins with fever and muscle aches and can result in a relatively mild illness or can lead to death. Where do these viruses come from? Although the source of these viruses in nature is unknown, this group of viruses can occasionally be found in rodents, ticks, and mosquitoes within endemic areas. Monkeys and humans are also susceptible and may become a source of virus if they become infected. Tissues of infected primates can also serve as a source of infection to staff in laboratories or in import and quarantine facilities that handle primates. How common are Ebola and Marburg viruses? To date, there have been four known outbreaks of Ebola virus involving humans; two in
