Discovering the World of Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers By Christy Leaman

Topic Overview Definitions & Descriptions: –Infectious Diseases –Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers Examples Transmission Hosts Symptoms & Treatment Implications for Humans Subject Basics Subject Basics Scary Examples Scary Examples Spread of VHFs Spread of VHFs Impact on Humans Impact on Humans Quiz Yourself Quiz Yourself Learn More Learn More

Learning Objectives: Describe the relationship between Infectious Diseases and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers Determine whether a human can be a host of a Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Subject Basics Subject Basics Scary Examples Scary Examples Spread of VHFs Spread of VHFs Impact on Humans Impact on Humans Quiz Yourself Quiz Yourself Learn More Learn More

Infections Diseases: Diseases resulting from organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites Subject Basics Subject Basics Scary Examples Scary Examples Spread of VHFs Spread of VHFs Impact on Humans Impact on Humans Quiz Yourself Quiz Yourself Learn More Learn More

Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers A type of infectious disease that inhibits clotting of the blood Involves extreme damage to multiple bodily systems –In particular, it inhibits the vascular system and the body’s ability to regulate itself Subject Basics Subject Basics Scary Examples Scary Examples Spread of VHFs Spread of VHFs Impact on Humans Impact on Humans Quiz Yourself Quiz Yourself Learn More Learn More

Characteristics of VHFs RNA viruses Very few have a cure or successful drug treatment available Survive primarily off a host –An organism that can carry the virus without being destroyed by it Human outbreaks are unpredictable and sporadic Subject Basics Subject Basics Scary Examples Scary Examples Spread of VHFs Spread of VHFs Impact on Humans Impact on Humans Quiz Yourself Quiz Yourself Learn More Learn More

Some examples of VHFs: Dengue Lassa Virus Yellow Fever Marburg Ebola Do you want to see the most deadly of all VHFs? Yes, show me! No, I’m scared! Subject Basics Subject Basics Scary Examples Scary Examples Spread of VHFs Spread of VHFs Impact on Humans Impact on Humans Quiz Yourself Quiz Yourself Learn More Learn More

Level 4 Hot Agents Some VHFs are so deadly, they must be handled by a Special Pathogens Branch (SPB) The SPB works with Biosafety level-4 pathogens or “hot agents ” –Marburg and Ebola viruses have highest mortality rate Ebola outbreak 2007, Democratic Republic of the Congo Subject Basics Subject Basics Scary Examples Scary Examples Spread of VHFs Spread of VHFs Impact on Humans Impact on Humans Quiz Yourself Quiz Yourself Learn More Learn More

Transmission Host-Human: a host or contaminated object or substance comes into contact with a human Host-Livestock-Human: virus is spread to humans during the slaughter or consumption of meat products Human-Human: humans transfer the virus to other humans through contact with person or bodily fluids Subject Basics Subject Basics Scary Examples Scary Examples Spread of VHFs Spread of VHFs Impact on Humans Impact on Humans Quiz Yourself Quiz Yourself Learn More Learn More

What are the hosts of VHFs? VHFs are zoonotic: the virus resides in an animal or arthropod –These are usually rodents, ticks, or mosquitoes –The hosts of viruses such as Ebola and Marburg remain unknown Subject Basics Subject Basics Scary Examples Scary Examples Spread of VHFs Spread of VHFs Impact on Humans Impact on Humans Quiz Yourself Quiz Yourself Learn More Learn More

Where Do These Diseases Occur? The virus and resulting disease generally stay in the host’s region Increased travel brings a danger of mass disease spread –Marburg appeared in Germany –Ebola spread from Gabon to South Africa –Ebola Reston, a strain of Ebola which never infected humans, was found in monkeys in Reston, Virginia in 1990 Subject Basics Subject Basics Scary Examples Scary Examples Spread of VHFs Spread of VHFs Impact on Humans Impact on Humans Quiz Yourself Quiz Yourself Learn More Learn More

Symptoms & Treatment Marked fever Dizziness Weakness Fatigue Muscle aches Exhaustion Treatment: In many cases, there is no effective drug treatment or vaccination available Supportive therapy may be the only option Symptoms Include: In severe cases: Bleeding under the skin, in the internal organs, and from orifices such as the nose, eyes, and mouth Subject Basics Subject Basics Scary Examples Scary Examples Spread of VHFs Spread of VHFs Impact on Humans Impact on Humans Quiz Yourself Quiz Yourself Learn More Learn More

Prevention and Control According to the CDC, prevention should involve: 1)Avoiding contact with potential hosts 2) Stop further transmission when a case occurs: -control rodent populations -use repellant, bed nets, and proper clothing -avoid contact with the sick Subject Basics Subject Basics Scary Examples Scary Examples Spread of VHFs Spread of VHFs Impact on Humans Impact on Humans Quiz Yourself Quiz Yourself Learn More Learn More

How can scientists work to eliminate this threat? Development of vaccine, containment, and treatment strategies Development of diagnostic tools Understand VHF transmission and effects Appreciate hosts and environmental ecology for prevention efforts Subject Basics Subject Basics Scary Examples Scary Examples Spread of VHFs Spread of VHFs Impact on Humans Impact on Humans Quiz Yourself Quiz Yourself Learn More Learn More

Check your understanding!  A VHF is a type of Infectious Disease: True False  Are humans likely to be a host of a VHF? Yes No Correct! Subject Basics Subject Basics Scary Examples Scary Examples Spread of VHFs Spread of VHFs Impact on Humans Impact on Humans Quiz Yourself Quiz Yourself Learn More Learn More Sorry! A VHF IS a special type of Infectious Disease. Sorry! Humans become sick by these viruses; a host can carry the virus without being destroyed by it.

Sources U.S. Center for Disease Control, (2013). Viral hemorrhagic fevers. Retrieved from website: _Fevers_Fact_Sheet.pdf _Fevers_Fact_Sheet.pdf World Health Organization, (2013). Viral hemorrhagic fevers. Retrieved from website: World Health Organization. (2007, September ). Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever in the Democratic Republic of the Congo [Web Video]. Retrieved from Mark. (Photographer). Infectious Disease News [Web Photo]. Retrieved from viruses.html viruses.html Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever [Web Photo]. Retrieved from fever Subject Basics Subject Basics Scary Examples Scary Examples Spread of VHFs Spread of VHFs Impact on Humans Impact on Humans Quiz Yourself Quiz Yourself Learn More Learn More

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