We have identified you may not be viewing TRAVAX optimally because the browser you are using is unsupported - click here.

Suitcase

Lassa Fever in Nigeria (Update)

30 March 2017

A media reportLink of 27 March 2017 advised that between December 2016 and 19 Mar 2017, a total of 283 suspected cases of Lassa fever have been reported, including 56 deaths. Of these suspected cases, a total of 99 were laboratory confirmed by the Lagos University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria.

The cases were reported across 13 states: Ogun, Bauchi, Plateau, Ebonyi, Ondo, Edo, Taraba, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kaduna, Gombe, Cross-River, and Borno.

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.

Further information on viral haemorrhagic fever.