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Lassa Fever in Nigeria

14 March 2013

An outbreak of Lassa fever has been reported in Jega local government area of Kebbi State in the north-west of the country. Eleven cases have been recorded and of those, eight have been fatal. The three remaining cases are receiving medical care in hospital.

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.