Lassa fever is a Animal-borne or zoonotic acute viral diseases. It is endemic in parts of West Africa, including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria. Neighboring countries are also at risk, as the animal vector of Lassa virus, « Mastomys natalensis », is distributed throughout the region.

Is Lassa virus BSL 4?

virus assigned to Biosafety Level 4 Including Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Ebola, Junin, Lassa fever, Machupo, Marburg, and tick-borne encephalitis virus complex (including Absettarov, Hanzalova, Hypr, Kumlinge, Kyasanur forest disease, E Musk hemorrhagic fever and Russian spring-summer encephalitis).

What disease does Lassa virus cause?

Lassa fever is an acute viral disease carried by a species of rats commonly found in Western Africa. It can be life threatening.It is a hemorrhagic virus, which means it causes bleeding, although 8 out of 10 people infected with the virus have no symptoms. It can be fatal if it affects the liver, kidneys or spleen.

How did Lassa virus start?

Lassa fever (LF) is an acute and sometimes severe viral hemorrhagic disease endemic in West Africa. The disease was first identified in Nigeria in 1969. Human infection with Lassa virus (LASV) Primarily through exposure to contaminated excrement from the rodent Mastomys natalensiswhich is a natural reservoir.

How is Lassa fever spread?

The most common mode of transmission of Lassa virus to humans is through ingestion or inhalation. Mastomys rodents excrete the virus through urine and feces, and direct contact with these materials through contact with contaminated objects, consumption of contaminated food, or exposure to open wounds or sores can lead to infection.

How much do you know about Lassa fever?

23 related questions found

Is Lassa fever a pandemic?

Like many potential epidemics, Lassa fever Viruses carried by animals – In this case, rats – in West Africa, where it’s endemic, it could be as dangerous as Ebola or COVID-19.

How long can Lassa virus survive outside the body?

Survival outside the host: The virus exists in aerosol form, especially at low relative humidity (30 % RH). The biological half-life range at 24°C and 32°C is 10.1 to 54.6 minutes(20).

Is there a cure for Lassa?

Ribavirin, an antiviral drug, has been successfully used in Lassa fever patients. It has been shown to be most effective when given early in the disease.

Is there a cure for Lassa fever?

Lassa fever is a rodent-borne zoonotic disease that presents clinically as acute hemorrhagic fever.This is Treatment with ribavirin. Surviving Lassa fever without receiving the antiviral drug ribavarin is rare. To date, only a few cases have been recorded.

When was the first outbreak of Lassa fever?

Lassa fever is an acute viral disease that occurs in West Africa.The disease was found in 1969 When two missionary nurses died in Nigeria. The virus is named after the Nigerian town where the first case occurred.

What are the symptoms of Lassa virus?

For most Lassa fever virus infections (about 80%), symptoms are mild and undiagnosed.Mild symptoms include mild fever, general malaise and weakness, and headache.

What are the symptoms of Lassa fever?

Symptoms of Lassa Fever

The onset of the disease, when it is symptomatic, is usually gradual and begins with Fever, general weakness and malaiseAfter a few days, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, and abdominal pain may occur.

What is Lassa fever?

Lassa fever is an animalTransmitted or zoonotic acute viral disease. It is endemic in parts of West Africa, including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria. Neighboring countries are also at risk, as the animal vector of Lassa virus, « Mastomys natalensis », is distributed throughout the region.

What is a quaternary virus?

Class 4 biohazards typically include dangerous viruses such as Ebola virus, Marburg virus, Lassa fever, Bolivian hemorrhagic feverand many other hemorrhagic viruses found in tropical regions.

What is bsl4 lab?

As the highest level of biosafety, the BSL-4 laboratory is Works with highly dangerous and exotic microorganisms. Infections caused by these types of microorganisms are often fatal, and there is no treatment or vaccine. Two examples of such microorganisms include Ebola virus and Marburg virus.

What is the bsl4 pathogen?

These include many of the viruses known to cause viral hemorrhagic fevers, such as Marburg, Ebola, Lassa, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Other pathogens treated by BSL-4 include Hendra, Nipah, and some flaviviruses.

How can Lassa virus be prevented?

Primary transmission of Lassa virus from host to humans can be prevented by Avoid contact with Mastomys rodents, especially in geographic areas where outbreaks are occurring. Putting food in rodent-proof containers and keeping your home clean can help keep rodents out of your home.

Is Lassa fever still in Nigeria?

Lassa fever still a neglected tropical disease, although the virus was discovered in Nigeria more than 50 years ago. It is endemic in West Africa, but so far little research has been done on the disease and there is no vaccine.

When was the first outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria?

Lassa fever was first discovered in 1969 Two missionary nurses die in Lhasa town, Borno state, Nigeria [6]. The disease is endemic in West African countries such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria, with approximately 300,000 to 400,000 cases and approximately 5,000 deaths per year [7].

Is Lassa fever deadly?

Among patients hospitalized for clinically severe Lassa fever, The case fatality rate is estimated to be about 15%. Early supportive care with hydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival. About 80% of people with Lassa virus are asymptomatic.

How is Lassa fever diagnosed?

The most common way to diagnose Lassa fever is to use Enzyme-linked immunosorbent serological assay (ELISA), to detect IgM and IgG antibodies and Lassa antigen. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) can be used in the early stages of the disease.

When was the last Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria?

Since the outbreak of LASV in December 2016, Nigeria has reported 2,787 confirmed cases of the virus.A total of 298 confirmed cases have been observed 2017 Since the outbreak of the disease in December 2016.

How long does Lassa fever last?

What is Lassa fever? Lassa fever is a disease caused by Lassa virus, a single-stranded RNA hemorrhagic fever virus of the arenaviridae family.It is an acute febrile viral illness that lasts for one to four weeksit occurs in West Africa and some other regions.

What BSL level is smallpox?

Smallpox virus is highly contagious.Manipulating the specimen material should be avoided, but if necessary, use Biosafety Level 3 practice.