Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers are Immediately reportable to the Local Health Department.

Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are a group of diseases caused by several different viruses. The term "viral hemorrhagic fever" refers to a febrile illness that can cause damage to blood vessels as well as to many other organ systems of the body. The viruses that cause these illnesses have a wide range of geographic distribution, including countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and South America. Symptoms and severity vary by virus, but commonly include fever and bleeding disorders, which can result in severe illness and death. Different VHFs are associated with specific animal or arthropod (e.g., mosquito, tick) reservoirs, but once transmission from animals to people occurs, many of these viruses may then be transmitted from person-to-person through contact with infected body fluids.  Preventive measures depend on the specific reservoir and method of spread for each virus. International travelers should review CDC travel notices for their destination countries to learn about current public health risks and recommendations. 

Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers include the following:

• Lassa fever
• Ebola
• Marburg
• Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
• Other Arenaviruses (Lujo, Guanarito, Sabia, Junin, Chapare and Machupo viruses)
• Rift Valley Fever virus

• Frequently Asked Questions – Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers [English] [Spanish]

• CDC’s Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers website

• 2022 NJDOH Public Health Laboratory Ebola technical Guidance
• Laboratory Testing for Patients with a Suspected VHF or High-Consequence Disease

• VHF Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations in US healthcare facilities