Thursday May 2, 2024, the French health authorities announced the detection of a first case of Lassa fever in Ile-de-France. It concerns a patient, a soldier returning from a stay in West Africa, hospitalized at the Bégin military hospital in Saint-Mandé, reports BFM TV.
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease endemic in West Africa, where it causes between 5,000 and 6,000 deaths per year. This is the first time that a case has been detected in mainland France, apart from a laboratory case in 2008.
Lassa fever: the virus is transmitted by a rodent
The Lassa virus is transmitted to humans through contact with the droppings of an African rodent, the natal multimammary rat (Mastomys Natalensis). This rodent, present in homes in West Africa, contaminates the environment with its urine and excrement.
Man becomes infected by inhaling contaminated dust or by direct contact with contaminated products. Human-to-human transmission is also possible, through contact with the blood, urine, stool or other body fluids of an infected person.
What are the symptoms of Lassa fever? And how to treat it?
Lassa fever manifests itself with flu-like symptoms: fever, headache, fatigue, muscle and lower back pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In severe cases, hemorrhagic complications may occur, affecting several organs (liver, kidneys, lungs, etc.). The mortality rate from this disease can reach 30% in untreated cases.
Treatment of Lassa fever is based on administration of an antiviral, ribavirin, at the first symptoms. Early treatment is essential to improve the prognosis. There is currently no vaccine against Lassa fever. Prevention is based on the fight against rodents and hygiene: avoid contact with rodent droppingswash your hands frequently and cook food at sufficient temperature.
Detected in Ile-de-France, the case of Lassa fever remains rare, but is under surveillance
The detection of a case of Lassa fever in France shows that the risk of importing this disease exists. It is important to remind travelers from West Africa preventive measures to follow and to consult a doctor in the event of suggestive symptoms in the weeks following their return.
French health authorities have implemented monitoring and contact tracing measures to limit the risk of transmission of the virus.
