Lassa fever is an acute, animal-borne, viral disease caused by African rat species
known as multimammate (Mastomy natalensis). It’s an endemic disease in some West
African countries with Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Ghana, and Nigeria at high
risk. It was first identified in Nigeria in 1969 as the Lassa virus. The virus, with a
single-stranded RNA, belongs to the Arenaviriidae family. The cases of Lassa fever
increase yearly in Nigeria and treatment is difficult due to healthcare facilities.

Transmission and Symptoms

The mastomy rat species, when infected, excrete the virus in its urine and feces
throughout its lifetime. They can deposit the virus on the surface of utensils, walls,
medical equipment, and places where food is stored through their urine and faeces.
Transmission of the virus to humans can occur through open skin contact with infected
rat urine, consumption of rats, consumption of infected food by rats, contact with the
fluids of infected persons, and sexual intercourse.
80% of people show mild or asymptomatic symptoms with gradual general weakness,
fever, headache, and malaise, making diagnosis difficult. 20% of infected individuals
progress to chronic chest pain, deafness, and death.

Prevention

There is currently no vaccine, however, Ribavirin is used for treatment. It can be
prevented through

1. Proper environmental sanitation
2. Covering of dustbins
3. Appropriate refuse disposal
4. Storage of foods
5. Elimination of rats by setting traps and using rodenticides
6. Avoid blood contact with an infected person
7. Sterilization of medical equipment before use
8. Regular hospital checkup
   Olayiwola Peter
   Preclinical I