LASSA FEVER

Lassa fever is an intense and often fatal hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus. Estimates of annual incidences of Lassa fever across this Northern region of Nigeria reach as high as 300,000 infections and 5,000 deaths. However due to scarce resources to diagnose the illness as well as inadequate surveillance, many cases remain unaccounted.

Humans contract the virus primarily through contact with the contaminated faces of Mastomys natalensis rodents (commonly known as the Multimammate rat), which is the natural source for the virus. Little is known regarding the transmission of the virus from the rodent host to the human.
The rodents live in houses with humans and deposit excreta on floors, tables, beds and food. Consequently the virus is transmitted to humans through cuts and scratches, or inhaled via dust particles in the air. In some regions Mastomys rodents are also consumed as food.

Another means of transmission of the virus between humans, occurs through direct contact with infected blood or bodily secretions. This occurs mainly between individuals caring for sick patients also anyone who comes into close contact with a person carrying the virus is at risk of infection.

In the early stages, Lassa fever is often misdiagnosed as influenza, typhoid or malaria. Early signs include fever, headache and general malaise, followed by a sore throat, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea in some cases. After 4 to 7 days, many patients will start to feel better, but a small minority will proceed to display symptoms such as edema, hypertension, bleeding and shock. Death from Lassa fever most commonly occurs 10 to 14 days after symptom onset.

No vaccine for Lassa fever is currently available for use in humans, and the only available drug, ribavirin, is only effective if administered early in infection (within the first 6 days after disease onset). One of the hallmarks of Lassa virus infection is the apparent absence of functional antibodies during acute infection.
Finally keeping a clean environment, properly washing kitchen utensils, not eating left over food, taking clean water can help reduce one's risk of getting the disease.