Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (Ebola virus disease, Lassa fever, Marburg virus)
Reportable by Laboratories and ProvidersAbout this Reportable Disease
Infectious agent: Ebola virus, Lassa virus, Marburg virus, and others
Description of illness: Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) refer to a group of illnesses that are caused by several distinct families of viruses (Ebola virus, Lassa virus, Marburg virus, and others). In general, the term “viral hemorrhagic fever” is used to describe a severe multisystem syndrome (multisystem in that multiple organ systems in the body are affected). Characteristically, the overall vascular system is damaged, and the body’s ability to regulate itself is impaired. These symptoms are often accompanied by hemorrhage (bleeding); however, the bleeding is itself rarely life-threatening. While some types of hemorrhagic fever viruses can cause relatively mild illnesses, many of these viruses cause severe, life-threatening disease.
Laboratory Reporting for this Disease
Reporting requirements apply to all laboratories located within Tennessee, as well as laboratories outside of Tennessee that test residents of Tennessee, including laboratories located within healthcare facilities. Healthcare providers and laboratories in the same healthcare facility both have a duty to report. The type of organisms and analytes laboratories must report to TDH for 2026 are indicated, and there are several ways laboratories can report results to TDH.
- Manually report results to TDH by faxing or mailing a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department, or faxing to the state health office at (615) 741-3857
- Automatically submit results to TDH via electronic laboratory reporting (ELR), which automates the process of sharing data with TDH using interoperability standards.
- See the ELR Onboarding Handbook for details on the onboarding process, checklist, frequently asked questions, business rules, message format, and vocabulary.
- To initiate the ELR onboarding process with TDH, register in the Trading Partner Registration (TPR) system TPR provides documentation for Promoting Interoperability (PI) attestation and milestone letters to document onboarding progress. Contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.
- Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting.
- Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link.
Information about this Reportable Disease for Healthcare Providers
Clinical Summary
- Scope and agent: Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are a group of severe illnesses caused by several virus families; Tennessee’s reportable VHF category includes Ebola virus disease, Lassa fever, and Marburg virus.
- Clinical presentation: Early illness is often nonspecific (e.g., fever and systemic symptoms) and can progress to multisystem disease; hemorrhagic findings can occur, but are not required for severe disease.
- Transmission and infection control: These VHFs can spread through direct contact with blood/body fluids of a symptomatic person (or contaminated materials), so immediate isolation and strict infection prevention and control precautions are critical when VHF is suspected.
- Clinical approach: Evaluate for compatible symptoms plus epidemiologic risk (e.g., travel/exposure linked to affected areas/outbreaks). If suspected, notify public health immediately to coordinate risk assessment and testing (testing requires specialized biosafety capacity).
Healthcare Provider Reporting
Healthcare reporting requirements apply to all providers located within Tennessee, as well as providers whose patients reside in Tennessee.
Providers must report cases of all diseases and conditions listed through one of these methods:
• Mail or fax a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department or fax to the state health office at (615) 741-3857
• Send automatically via electronic case reporting (eCR). See this TDH webpage for more information on eCR, register at the Trader Partner Registration website, or contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.
• Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting.
• Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link.
Information about this Reportable Disease for the Public
What It Is
Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are a group of rare but serious viral illnesses that can affect multiple organ systems. Tennessee’s VHF reporting category includes Ebola virus disease, Lassa fever, and Marburg virus.
Signs and Symptoms
Early symptoms can look like many other illnesses (such as fever and feeling very unwell). In more severe cases, these illnesses can become life-threatening.
How It Spreads
These illnesses spread through close contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids (or contaminated items). Some VHFs also have animal reservoirs (for example, Lassa fever is linked to rodents, and Ebola/Marburg outbreaks are associated with exposures in affected regions).
What To Do If You're Concerned
If you develop symptoms after travel to an area with VHF activity or after a possible exposure, contact a healthcare provider right away and share your travel/exposure details.
Prevention
Prevention focuses on avoiding exposure in affected areas and following public health guidance. Healthcare settings rely on strict infection control measures to prevent spread.
This Page Last Updated: March 25, 2026 at 8:53 PM