Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers

The popular press, books, and movies have increased the interest in VHF with corresponding response in the scientific literature [137,281-283]. There is a genuine risk that a terrorist would select HF viruses since they are highly infectious, especially via the aerosol route, and produce high morbidity and mortality, especially in populations with no prior exposure or herd immunity. HF viruses vary in their intrinsic attributes and thus in their potential for being used as weapons, but Mother Nature is the biggest terrorist and all of these can potentially be introduced into immunologically naive populations via natural processes, with fearsome consequences. Increased concern about such natural or unnatural introductions has driven increased investment in basic research and construction of a network of biocontainment facilities. The payoff will be a more fundamental understanding of the disease processes associated with these infections, and identification of potential targets for antiviral drugs, vaccines and broad countermeasures.