Lessons learnt from imported cases and onward transmission of Lassa fever in Europe support broader management of viral haemorrhagic fevers

Viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are severe and lifethreatening diseases that have been reported in parts of Africa, South America, the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe. They are capable of causing long-term and slow burning epidemics, which can interrupt normal life, trade and impact the social structure of a community [1]. The known viruses responsible for VHFs are not genetically related and are classified in disparate virus families; they include members of the Arenvirid ae, Flaviviridae, Filoviridae, Nairoviridae and Phenuvir idae (Table). They circulate in animal reservoirs and sometimes arthropod vectors; humans are not part of their natural life cycle, but incidental infection and introduction into the human population often results in an outbreak. VHFs are described as hazard or risk group 4 pathogens [2,3] and warrant maximum laboratory containment facilities and working precautions i.e. containment or biosafety level 4.