The Ministry of Health wants to be reassuring. The state of health of the soldier affected by Lassa fever does not cause concern. Returning from abroad (without specifying the exact country), his diagnosis was confirmed on May 2.
Endemic in several West African countries – Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Nigeria – where it infects 100 to 300,000 people, Lassa fever claims between 5,000 to 6,000 victims per year.
Although it is asymptomatic in 80% of cases, the virus can also manifest itself through non-specific clinical signs such as fever, nausea, abdominal pain, headaches, etc.
Then in severe cases, it takes the form of a lightning fever. The symptoms worsen with the appearance of edema, hemorrhagic signs, pericardial and pleural effusions, etc. The overall fatality rate is 1%. That of patients with severe forms can reach 15%.
How is the disease transmitted?
The main reservoir of the Lassa virus is a small rodent called Mastomysnatalensis many of whom live near, or even within, village homes in West Africa. The virus contaminates humans through contact with excrement.
It can also be transmitted from person to person, mainly in a hospital context, through contact with a patient’s biological fluids.
Prevention through hygiene
Preventing Lassa fever involves promoting good “ community hygiene » (says the WHO) to prevent rodents from entering homes.
Among the effective measures, we will cite the conservation of foodstuffs in rodent-resistant containers, the disposal of garbage far from homes… and the presence of cats.
No vaccine
Although various work is currently being carried out to develop a vaccine, there is currently no effective treatment. The antivirals used are only of limited effectiveness. Which, for the Pasteur Institute could represent a public health problem, because the virus is part of “ agents potentially usable for bioterrorism”.
Source : Ministry of Health and Solidarity, World Health Organization, Pasteur Institute
