with the exception of yellow fever and argentine hemorrhagic fever for which vaccines have been developed no vaccines exist that can protect against these diseases. therefore prevention efforts must concentrate on avoiding contact with host species. if prevention methods fail and a case of viral hemorrhagic fever does occur efforts should focus on preventing further transmission from person to person if the virus can be transmitted in this way. because many of the hosts that carry hemorrhagic fever viruses are rodents disease prevention efforts include: controlling rodent populations. discouraging rodents from entering or living in homes or workplaces. encouraging safe cleanup of rodent nests and droppings. for hemorrhagic fever viruses spread by arthropod vectors prevention efforts often focus on community-wide insect and arthropod control. in addition people are encouraged to use insect repellant proper clothing bednets window screens and other insect barriers to avoid being bitten. for those hemorrhagic fever viruses that can be transmitted from one person to another avoiding close physical contact with infected people and their body fluids is the most important way of controlling the spread of disease. barrier infection control techniques include isolating infected individuals and wearing protective clothing. other infection control recommendations include proper use disinfection and disposal of instruments and equipment used in treating or caring for patients with vhf such as needles and thermometers.
how can cases of viral hemorrhagic fever be prevented and controlled?