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Lassa Fever in Nigeria

31 May 2017

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has issued a Lassa fever updateLink. From the beginning of 2017 to 6 May, there were 255 suspected Lassa fever cases in 20 States. There were 58 laboratory confirmed cases and 46 deaths. Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria and is reported every year.

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.