Lassa fever
Lassa Fever
Lassa fever (pronunciation: /ˈlɑːsə/), is an acute viral illness that occurs in West Africa. The illness was discovered in 1969 when two missionary nurses died in Nigeria, Africa. The virus is named after the town in Nigeria where the first cases occurred.
Etymology
The term "Lassa" is derived from the town of Lassa in Nigeria where the disease was first identified. The term "fever" is used to describe the high body temperature that is a common symptom of the disease.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Lassa fever typically occur 1-3 weeks after the patient comes into contact with the virus. For the majority of Lassa fever virus infections, symptoms are mild and are undiagnosed. Mild symptoms include slight fever, general malaise and weakness, and headache. In severe cases, Lassa fever can affect several organs such as the liver, spleen and kidneys.
Transmission
Lassa fever is transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces. The virus can also be spread between humans through direct contact with the blood, urine, faeces, or other bodily secretions of a person with Lassa fever.
Treatment
Early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival. Antiviral medication Ribavirin seems to be an effective treatment for Lassa fever if given early on in the course of the disease.
Prevention
Prevention of Lassa fever relies on promoting good "community hygiene" to discourage rodents from entering homes. Effective measures include storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households and keeping cats.
See Also
References
External Links
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lassa fever
- Wikipedia's article - Lassa fever
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