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Lassa fever is an ongoing problem in Nigeria where the disease is endemic. The media has reported on an outbreak involving 8 states of the country. The current outbreak was identified 6 weeks ago in Bauchi state and cases have since been reported in Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo and Oyo states.
A total of 76 suspected cases including 35 deaths have been recorded; 14 cases have been laboratory-confirmed as Lassa fever.
(Via Punch -accessed 07/01/16)
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.
