Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
(Viral hemorrhagic fevers including Ebola, Crimean-Congo, Lassa and Marburg viruses)
General information
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.
Additional information
- Viral Hemorrhagic Fever fact sheet, P-42102
- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) About Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
Information for public health and health care providers
These are Wisconsin Disease Surveillance Category I diseases:
Report immediately by telephone to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Communicable Diseases (608-267-9003), upon identification of a confirmed or suspected case.
- Bureau of Communicable Diseases Information Update May 27, 2026: CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory: Ebola Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda
- Guide for Clinicians Evaluating a Patient for a Viral Hemorrhagic Fever in Wisconsin, P-03801 (PDF)
- Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers: Infection Prevention Recommendations for Health Care Facilities, P-03790 (PDF)
- National Special Pathogen System (NSPS) Level 1-4: Facility Minimum Capability Requirements (PDF)
- National Emergency Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) personal protective equipment (PPE) matrix for high-consequence infectious diseases (PDF)
- National Emergency Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) Identify, Isolate, Inform Tip Sheet (PDF)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Guide for Clinicians Evaluating an Ill Person for a Special Pathogen (PDF)
- CDC Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients in U.S. Hospitals who are Suspected or Confirmed to have Selected Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHF)
- CDC Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) | Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs)
- CDC Interim Guidance for Environmental Infection Control in Hospitals
- Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers: Infection Prevention Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS), P-03790A (PDF)
- National Emergency Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) EMS Strategies for Ebola
- National Emergency Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) EMS Procedural Guidelines for Special Pathogens
- ASPR TRACIE EMS Infectious Disease Playbook
- Interim Guidance for EMS Systems and 9-1-1 Answering Points
Questions about Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers? Contact us!
Phone: 608-267-9003 | Fax: 608-261-4976
Wisconsin Local Health Departments – Regional offices – Tribal agencies