The story so far Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic illness, has come into prominence after a recent case in Iowa, United States, involving the death of a traveller from West Africa. Lassa fever has been reported in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo. The disease was first identified in the town of Lassa in Nigeria in 1969, where it continues to pose a significant health threat, affecting an estimated 1,00,000 to 3,00,000 individuals annually, with around 5,000 deaths each year.
India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has classified Lassa fever as a disease of international significance. India has not recorded any documented cases until now (officially, no case reported till 2022). The recent U.
S. episode however, highlights the need for proactive measures to prevent potential outbreaks through international travel. What is Lassa fever? The Lassa virus causes Lassa fever, a zoonotic disease that is part of the Arenaviridae family, with the Mastomys rat as its primary reservoir.
Humans usually contract the virus through contact with food or items contaminated by the rodent’s urine or faeces. Secondary human-to-human transmission occurs through exposure to bodily fluids, raising significant risks, particularly in healthcare settings. The most common symptoms of Lassa fever begin with a gradual onset of fever, general weakness, and malaise, followed after a few days by more severe manifestations such as headache, sore.