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From 1 Jan 2014 to 16 Mar 2014, a total of 208 cases of Lassa fever, including 17 deaths were reported from 19 Local Government Areas within 9 states of the country. Of the cases, 83% were reported from Edo state. During 2012 and 2013, a total of 1723 suspected cases including 112 deaths and 1195 cases including 39 deaths were reported respectively.
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.