*** Things You need to know about LASSA fever ***

Lassa fever or Lassa hemorrhagic fever (LHF) is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus and first described in 1969 in the town of Lassa, in Borno State, Nigeria.[1] Lassa fever is a member of the Arenaviridae virus family. Similar to ebola,[2] clinical cases of the disease had been known for over a decade, but had not been connected with a viral pathogen.

The virus is probably transmitted by contact with the faeces or urine of animals accessing grain stores in residences. Given its high rate of incidence, Lassa fever is a major problem in affected countries.

After an incubation period of 6 to 21 days, an acute illness with multiorgan involvement develops. Nonspecific symptoms include fever, facial swelling, and muscle fatigue, as well as conjunctivitis and mucosal bleeding. The other symptoms arising from the affected organs are:
Nausea, Vomiting (bloody), Diarrhea (bloody), Stomach ache, Constipation, Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), Hepatitis, Pericarditis, Hypertension, Hypotension, Tachycardia (abnormally high heart rate), Cough, Chest pain, Dyspnoea, Pharyngitis, Pleuritis, Nervous system, Encephalitis, Meningitis, Unilateral or bilateral hearing deficit, Seizures

Clinically, Lassa fever infections are difficult to distinguish from other viral hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola and Marburg, and from more common febrile illnesses such as malaria.
The virus is excreted in urine for 3-9 weeks and in semen for three months.

Control of the Mastomys rodent population is impractical, so measures are limited to keeping rodents out of homes and food supplies, as well as maintaining effective personal hygiene. Gloves, masks, laboratory coats, and goggles are advised while in contact with an infected person.

All persons suspected of Lassa fever infection should be admitted to isolation facilities and their body fluids and excreta properly disposed off.