Emergence of deadly viral haemorrhagic fever disease outbreaks in West Africa

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.

Automated summary

Recent outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) diseases caused by Ebola virus (EBOV) and Marburg virus (MARV) in West Africa are concerning. This editorial aims to highlight the known information about these viruses and their outbreaks in Africa and raise awareness about Lassa virus (LASV), which causes recurrent outbreaks and endemic infections in West Africa.