**Grade Level: 8.9**

**VIRAL HEMORRHAGIC FEVERS EXTENDED MESSAGE**

**HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION FOR THE FIRST HOURS**

**POINTS:**

1.  What is happening?

2.  What is a viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) and can it spread from
    person to person?

3.  What are symptoms of VHFs?

4.  How are VHFs treated?

5.  What to do if you have symptoms of VHFs.

6.  What to do if you were at or near *xxx area* and think you might
    have been exposed to a VHF.

7.  What to do if you are concerned about getting a VHF.

8.  What is being done and how to get more information.

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**What is happening?**

-   This is an urgent health message from the U.S. Department of Health
    and Human Services (HHS). Please pay careful attention to this
    message to protect your health and that of others.

-   Public health officials believe that a virus that causes a viral
    hemorrhagic fever (VHF) may have been intentionally released the
    *xxx area*. There are *xxx* suspected cases in *xxx area*.

-   Local, state, and federal officials, including public health and law
    enforcement, are working together. Updated announcements will be
    made as soon as officials know more.

-   If you have fever and live in the *xxx* *area*, to be on the safe
    side, stay away from others and call your local public health
    department at *xxx-xxx-xxxx* or your doctor immediately.

-   Some viruses that cause VHF can spread from one person to another.

-   VHF is usually spread by close contact with an infected person. Some
    types are spread by infected animals. A weaponized version of the
    virus may be intentionally spread through air. Listen for
    announcements from public health officials about how the infection
    appears to be spreading.

-   HHS is working hard to respond to this outbreak. By staying informed
    and following instructions from health officials, you can protect
    yourself, your family, and the community against this public health
    threat.

-   For more information about VHFs, visit the HHS Web site at
    http://[www.hhs.gov](http://www.hhs.gov/)[,]{.underline} or the
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) VHF page at
    <http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/virlfvr/virlfvr.htm>, or call
    the CDC Hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO for the latest updates.

-   This message contains additional information that can help protect
    your health and the health of others.

***What is VHF and can it spread from person to person?***

-   VHFis a serious illness caused by a virus. Many different viruses
    can cause VHF. Examples of viruses that cause VHF include Ebola,
    Marburg, and Lassa viruses.

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-   Some of the viruses that cause VHF can spread from person to person
    through direct contact with blood or other body fluids (e.g., saliva
    or urine). Some can also be spread by contaminated objects, such as
    the bedding of a sick person.

-   Some forms of VHF occur naturally throughout the world. These can be
    passed to people through infected animals, such as livestock,
    rodents, or insects.

-   Every year, several cases of VHF occur outside the United States.
    However, natural cases do not occur in the United States unless
    brought in by an infected traveler or released on purpose.

***What are the symptoms of VHFs?***

-   Depending on the type of virus, symptoms of VHF may differ. However,
    they can cause fever, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, abdominal
    pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and, in the most severe cases, bleeding,
    shock, and multi-organ failure.

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-   Although many of the initial symptoms are similar to the flu or
    other viral illnesses, VHFs can be far more serious. Take extra
    precautions because of the reports of VHFs in the *xxx area.*

***How are VHFs treated**?*

-   A VHF can be a life-threatening illness. However, medical treatment
    can control symptoms and save lives.

-   Treatment may include supportive care, such as balancing the
    patient's fluids and electrolytes and maintaining their oxygen
    status and blood pressure. Secondary bacterial infections may be
    treated with antibiotics.

-   For many VHFs, specific treatments against the viruses that cause
    them do not exist.

***What to do if you have symptoms of VHFs***

-   If you become ill with fever or develop other symptoms, such as
    chills, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, or rash, visit a health-care
    provider **immediately**. *Tell the provider about your symptoms
    before going to the office or emergency room so arrangements can be
    made to prevent transmission to others in the healthcare setting.*

-   Until you can get medical help and what illness you have can be,
    stay away from others to avoid spreading the disease to them.

-   People with symptoms of a possible VHF, including fever, should stay
    home and avoid contact with other household members until they are
    evaluated by a healthcare provider

-   In addition, take these steps:

1.  Keep your hands clean by washing them with soap and water or using
    an alcohol-based hand gel.

2.  Be prepared for possible nausea and vomiting. Have a large heavy
    duty plastic bag or a basin nearby.

3.  Avoid taking any aspirin or ibuprofen (including brand name drugs
    like Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, etc.). You can use acetaminophen
    according to the label instructions.

***What to do if you were at or near xxx area and think you might have
been exposed to a VHF***

-   Even if you don't feel sick, call your doctor or local public health
    department at *xxx-xxx-xxxx.* Explain that you do
    ***[not]{.underline}*** have any symptoms, but you believe you may
    have had contact with a VHF virus.

-   Get a thermometer and check your temperature twice a day. Report any
    temperature over 101ºF to your doctor or local public health
    department.

-   Until health authorities can determine whether you have had contact
    with a VHF or someone infected with a VHF, stay away from other
    people as much as possible to stop the spread of the disease.

-   Health authorities will want to first treat those people who are
    sick or who have been in direct contact with a sick person.

***What to do if you are concerned about getting a VHF***

-   It is natural to be concerned or afraid at a time like this.

-   If you do not have any symptoms, were not near *xxx area*, and have
    not been near someone who is sick with a VHF, you most likely have
    **not** been exposed to the virus.

-   People who are concerned about VHFs will be evaluated and treated if
    needed.

-   If a person in your house becomes sick with a VHF-like illness, have
    them stay in a bedroom alone until they can be evaluated by a
    healthcare provider or public health worker.

-   If a VHF virus was released into the air, you will not be able to
    see or smell the virus.

-   Stay informed and follow the instructions of public health officials
    about what areas or activities to avoid and other information to
    keep you safe.

-   Stay informed by turning to the radio, television, or Internet news
    for updated health and safety announcements.

***What is being done and how to get more information.***

-   Federal, state, and local health officials are working together to
    identify and stop the spread of this disease. They are identifying
    and treating people who have symptoms or may have had contact with a
    virus causing a VHF. They are also takings actions to protect others
    from being exposed.

-   HHS is working hard to respond to this outbreak. By staying informed
    and following instructions from health officials, you can protect
    yourself, your family, and the community against this public health
    threat.

-   Public health officials will share more information about the
    suspected outbreak as soon as more is known.

-   Go to \[[insert local media information here]{.underline}\] to hear
    the latest information from local officials.

-   For more information about VHFs, visit the HHS Website at
    http://[www.hhs.gov](http://www.hhs.gov/)[,]{.underline} or the
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) VHF page at
    <http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/virlfvr/virlfvr.htm>, or call
    the CDC Hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO for the latest updates