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Lassa fever cases continue to be reported from Nigeria where the disease is endemic. During the first three months of the year (2016), a total of 551 suspected cases and 73 deaths were reported across 26 states of the country. Of the suspected cases, 55 have been laboratory-confirmed.
During epidemiological week 12, 24 suspected cases, one confirmed and zero deaths were reported from three states.
The states reporting most suspected cases include: Edo (156), Ondo (82), Niger (59), Taraba (43) and Bauchi (28).
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.
