Ebola hemorrhagic fever/Ebola virus disease - Marburg disease - Lassa fever.

ABSTRACT

Ebola virus disease, Marburg disease, and Lassa fever are viral hemorrhagic fevers with similar clinical manifestations. Given the recent expanding movement of people around the world, persons infected with any of these hemorrhagic fever viruses might develop symp- toms in Japan. Clinicians should be aware of the latest situation once viral hemorrhagic fever is reported from any country. Obtaining travel history is crucial in suspecting viral hemorrha- gic fever when an acute febrile patient visits a medical facility. Secure implementation of standard precautions would limit further nosocomial transmission even before diagnosis. In order to investigate promptly a suspected case, medical facilities and health authorities should collaborate closely and effectively to break the transmission chain as soon as possi- ble.