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Lassa Fever in Nigeria (Update)

26 November 2015

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reported 270 cases of Lassa fever so far this year (week ending 6 Nov 2015). Seven deaths have been reported over the same period.

Cases of Lassa fever have been reported from the following states: Bauch (3), Borno (7), Edo (218), FCT (1), Gombe (2), Kogi (2), Katsina (3), Kwara (2), Nasarawa (2), Ondo (2), Plateau (24) and Taraba (4).

Advice for Travellers

Lassa fever is a low risk for most travellers unless living in poor sanitary conditions with overcrowding in rural areas where the host is usually found. Lassa fever is a zoonotic viral disease transmitted via the excreta of an infected Mastomys rat. Healthcare workers are at risk if good infection control and barrier nursing methods are not maintained.

Travellers returning from affected areas who develop symptoms of fever, malaise, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain should seek medical advice.