Updated Guidance on Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers

In July 2012, the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) published updated specialist guidance on the management of patients with viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) or other infectious diseases of high consequence.

The guidance replaces previous ACDP guidance issued in 1996 and provides advice on how patients suspected of being infected with a VHF should be comprehensively assessed, rapidly diagnosed and safely managed within the NHS, to ensure the protection of public health.

(Via DoH - Updated Guidance on Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers)

The updated guidance is timely as currently an outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever is taking place in Kibaale district, western Uganda.

Advice for Travellers

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has assessed the risk for travellers and EU citizens residing in the country:

"The risk of residents and travellers becoming infected or developing the disease is extremely low, unless there has been direct contact with blood, bodily fluids of dead or living infected persons or animals. As a precautionary measure, EU citizens in Uganda should avoid such contact. Travellers returning from tropical countries should always seek rapid medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms (such as fever, headache or general malaise) within three weeks after return."

(Via ECDC - accessed 06/08/12)

Advice for Healthcare Professionals

Any patient presenting with a fever (>38ºC) or history of fever in the previous 24 hours, within 21 days of visiting a region where VHFs occur; and who may been exposed to a patient or animal infected with VHF (including their blood, body fluids or tissues); should be assessed as to risk of VHF using the risk assessment algorithm in the Department of Health guidelines.