It is a severe acute bleeding disorder caused by the Lassa virus. It is endemic in West Africa. Its mortality rate is 10-15% and up to 25% in pregnant women.
The Lassa virus (arenavirus) is transmitted to humans through contaminated foods and household objects or from contact with urine and stools from rodents.
Non-specific symptoms (fever, swelling of the face, conjunctivitis, fatigue, various pains, etc.) usually linked to viral infections appear in 20% of people. There may be bleeding in the mouth, vomit or stools, as well as from any other regions of the body.
The diagnosis is through clinical interrogation, demonstrating the context of travel to an endemic area.
An antiviral medicine called rivabirin is used. Starting treatment early has shown to have a better prognosis.
- John S Schieffelin, MD, MSPH. Lassa fever. UpToDate. Sep 14, 2016.
- Khan SH, Goba A, Chu M, et al. New opportunities for field research on the pathogenesis and treatment of Lassa fever. Antiviral Res 2008; 78:103.
- Branco LM, Grove JN, Boisen ML, et al. Emerging trends in Lassa fever: redefining the role of immunoglobulin M and inflammation in diagnosing acute infection. Virol J 2011; 8:478.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lassa Fever: Diagnosis. https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/lassa/diagnosis/index.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs): Information for Healthcare Workers. http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/abroad/healthcare-workers.html
