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The “Lassa Fever,” is the illness that comes from Lassa Virus.

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In 1969, the illness was found when two nurses died in Nigeria and was promptly named after the town where the first case occurred. The Lassa fever is endemic in Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and other neighboring countries. The amount of infections per year in west Africa was estimated at 100,000 to 300,000 with roughly 5000 deaths. (CDC, April 26, 2022)

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Signs and symptoms usually are present after 1-3 weeks after someone comes into contact with the Lassa fever. Mild symptoms include a slight fever, general malaise (Fatigue), weakness in muscles and headaches. Serious symptoms include hemorrhaging (excessive bleeding from damaged blood vessels occuring in the gums, eyes or nose), respiratory distress (hard to breathe or not getting enough oxygen), repeated vomiting, facial swelling and pain in chest, back and abdomen. Some Neurological problems can also occur including hearing loss, tremors (heightened emotions) and encephalitis (Inflammation of tissues in the brain). There is also the possibility of death after two weeks due to multi-organ failure.

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A treatment for the Lassa fever is Ribavirin, an antiviral drug that has been successful in patients, but it is most effective when it is used early in the illness. There should also be consistent care for patients including electrolyte balancing, oxygenation, appropriate fluid and blood pressure. (CDC, April 26, 2022)

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The transmission between the Mastomys rodents to humans occurs commonly through inhalation and ingestion. They spread the virus through urine, droppings and direct contact with materials through eating contaminated food, exposed wounds, and touching soiled objects. They often live in homes and scavenge for food so this makes direct contact transmission common.

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The Mastomys natalensis (multimammate rat) is the host of the Lassa virus. This rodent excretes virus in urine for a very long period of time, in some cases its entire life.

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Lassa fever is lysogenic because of the way it infects the person. It takes about 1-3 weeks for the symptoms to apply to a person and with the lysogenic cycle, it takes time to make the virus stable in the existence of the host.

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Mastomys rodents breed a lot so there are large numbers of offspring in west, central, and east Africa.

The “Lassa fever,” is named after the town where the first case of the virus took place. “Lassa,” Nigeria.

The case-fatality rate is 1%.  (CDC, April 26, 2022).

Support in the early stages of the virus such as hydration and symptom treatment can improve survival.