Ken was known for his love of farm life, and he often used his annual leave to visit his farmhouse on the outskirts of the city. However, he became sick a few days after returning from the farmhouse and was taken to the district hospital. After a series of tests, he was confirmed to be infected by the Lassa virus. Ken was aware of the disease but was shocked to have contracted it. What did he not know about Lassa fever?
What is Lassa fever?
Lassa fever is caused by the Lassa virus. This virus is spread by the African rat, which is primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa in countries like Nigeria, Guinea, Benin, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.
How is Lassa fever transmitted?
The African rat is the “reservoir” for the Lassa virus. This means that this rat can be infected with the Lassa virus without getting sick or dying. Instead, the infected rat can excrete the virus in its urine and faeces for a very long period, maybe even for a lifetime. Lassa fever is spread to humans mainly when the urine and faeces of infected rats come into contact with food or drinks consumed by humans. Such infections are spread from one person to another when uninfected individuals are exposed to body secretions such as blood, urine, and faeces from individuals with Lassa fever. These transmissions are common in healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, and laboratories, which is why health workers are particularly at risk for Lassa fever.
What are the symptoms of Lassa fever? 
Lassa fever causes a wide range of symptoms. These symptoms can range from mild to severe or life-threatening. Symptoms such as fever, headaches, generalised body aches and weakness, chest or abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea are seen in mild to moderate symptoms. When symptoms are severe, bleeding from the gums, nose, eyes, kidney failure, and brain problems such as deafness can occur. These severe symptoms are seen in as many as 20% of people with Lassa fever, with some of them progressing to death or lifelong complications.
However, since symptoms of Lassa fever can be so varied and not specific, making a diagnosis in the hospital can be a challenge. But in places where Lassa fever is common, a high index of suspicion is in place among health workers, and individuals with this disease are promptly identified and treated. It is estimated that 1 in 5 people with Lassa fever die from the disease or its complications, and these figures are said to rise significantly during some outbreaks.
How can I prevent Lassa fever?
Preventing Lassa fever starts with understanding the way the disease is spread from rats to humans and among humans. The focus of prevention is to reduce exposure to the virus by avoiding contact with the rodents that spread it and their excretions. Good hygiene practices such as hand washing, removing debris from the environment, etc. have been shown to reduce the incidence of Lassa fever. Storing food in rodent-proof containers to prevent contamination with urine and faeces from these rodents is also important. Avoiding contact with suspected cases of Lassa fever during outbreaks will reduce the spread of the Lassa virus. There is currently no vaccine for Lassa fever. Sick individuals should go to the hospital. Healthcare workers are advised to employ appropriate infection control measures when caring for suspected or confirmed cases of Lassa fever.
