Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHF) are a group of diseases caused by several families of viruses. The term VHF refers to an illness that can affect multiple organ systems and can be accompanied by fever, headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and hemorrhage. VHFs addressed in this document include Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), Lassa Fever, and Marburg Virus Disease (MVD).

All health care facilities are part of the frontline defense against the spread of disease, as patients will seek care in emergency departments, urgent care centers and clinics. Health care facility preparedness to care for patients with a VHF is essential to prevent transmission to staff, other patients, and our communities.

NETEC developed the Health Care Facility Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Preparedness Checklist to help health care facilities assess their readiness to identify, isolate, inform, and provide initial treatment for patients suspected or confirmed to have a VHF. This checklist is intended to guide facilities through a review of their immediate care capabilities and provide resources to assist in the resolution of preparedness gaps it reveals.

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