Emergence of deadly viral haemorrhagic fever disease outbreaks in West Africa

Virulence. 2023 Dec;14(1):2176980. doi: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2176980.

Abstract

Recent viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) disease outbreaks caused by Ebola virus (EBOV) and Marburg virus (MARV) in West Africa are unique and alarming. The intents of this editorial are to highlight what is known about these viruses and the disease outbreaks that they cause in the African continent and elsewhere and to raise awareness of a related virus called Lassa virus (LASV) that causes endemic viral hemorrhagic fever infections and frequent outbreaks in West Africa.

Keywords: Ebola virus; Lassa virus; Marburg virus; West Africa; viral disease outbreaks; viral hemorrhagic fevers.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Africa, Western / epidemiology
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Ebolavirus*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola* / epidemiology
  • Hemorrhagic Fevers, Viral* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Lassa virus