Viral haemorrhagic fevers are a group of illnesses that are caused by several distinct families of viruses: arenaviruses, filoviruses, bunyaviruses and flaviviruses. The viruses are endemic in areas of Africa, South America and Asia.  The viruses are not highly infectious from person to person, requiring close contact with contaminated bodily fluids for transmission. Environmental conditions in England and Wales do not support the natural reservoirs of infection, thus cases do not occur here, except as an imported disease.

• Background Information on Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (Deliberate Releases)
  Added/updated: 13 May 2011