2023-06-02 12:39:29
Lassa fever occurs in West Africa. There is no vaccination once morest the disease yet, but precautionary measures can prevent infection.
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Lassa fever is often mild
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High risk of infection in rural areas
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Early diagnosis often difficult
Lassa fever is a rodent-borne infectious disease that occurs in West Africa. In addition to flu-like symptoms, it can also bleeding (haemorrhage). Therefore, Lassa fever also belongs to the so-called haemorrhagic fevers (like dengue fever and yellow fever).
Which travel countries are affected?
The name “Lassa fever” goes back to a place in eastern Nigeria where the first case of the disease was described. The disease is now present in several West African countries endemic. That is, it is persistent in these limited regions. The areas of Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria are particularly affected. There are sporadic outbreaks in other West African countries (e.g. Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Mali, Burkina Faso). There is currently no vaccine approved to protect once morest Lassa fever. Appropriate hygiene measures can help to avoid infections when traveling to endemic areas. This includes:
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Store food in such a way that rodents cannot contaminate it (e.g. with droppings or by gnawing). If in doubt, throw the food away.
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Do not touch dead rodents.
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Avoid close physical contact with sick people. Infected people can be contagious for up to 3 months.
Rodents transmit pathogens
Lassa fever is caused by the Lassa virus. The natural host of the virus is the multiple teat mouse (Mastomys natalensis). The African rodent lives primarily in and around human settlements in rural regions. Infected rodents excrete the pathogen throughout their lives, primarily via excrement such as urine and faeces, but also via saliva and blood. People usually get infected through contaminated food. However, infection is also possible through injuries to the skin, inhaling contaminated dust (e.g. when cleaning) or coming into contact with the mucous membranes.
Sick people can pass the virus on to other people. There is one for this Direct contact with blood, tissue, secretions and urine (e.g. when caring for the sick or during sexual intercourse). Infection through the air we breathe is only possible if those affected are very seriously ill and there are many viruses in their bodies. In pregnant women, the pathogen can also infect the unborn child.
Those who have recovered excrete the virus in the urine to 9 weeks following the onset of the disease. The pathogens even survive up to 3 months in the semen.
symptoms and course of the disease
After being infected with Lassa fever, it takes 6 to 21 days for those infected to show the first signs of the disease (incubation period). A gradual onset is typical Fever and other non-specific, flu-like symptoms such as
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Cough
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nausea, vomiting
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conjunctivitis
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Headache
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severe muscle pain
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chest pain
Around 20 percent of those affected have one severe course with swelling of the face and larynx, accumulation of fluid in the lung cavity, bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina or gastrointestinal tract, low blood pressure through to shock, seizures, tremors, disorientation, organ failure and coma. Recoverers are slow to recover and often suffer from neurological conditions such as numbness or gait disorders.
The disease is fatal in regarding 10 to 20 percent of people who are hospitalized for Lassa fever (on average, 12 days following onset). The risk of a severe course is particularly high in late pregnancy: the death of the mother and/or the loss of the fetus occurs in more than 80 percent of cases in the third trimester. In general, however, most infections are mild and without symptoms.
Differences from other hemorrhagic fevers
Lassa fever is difficult to distinguish from other viral hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola, malaria, shigellosis/bacterial dysentery, typhoid and yellow fever because the symptoms are similar. This can complicate the diagnosis.
How is Lassa fever diagnosed?
Since the symptoms of Lassa fever are so varied and non-specific, the clinical Diagnosis often difficult – especially at the beginning of the disease. It is therefore important to inform the treating physicians regarding stays abroad, especially when returning from an endemic area. In such a case and with the corresponding symptoms, an illness with Lassa fever is obvious. Only in later stages of the disease can it be detected by means of a blood test. This takes place in high-security laboratories under strict conditions.
In Germany, no drugs are currently approved for the treatment of Lassa fever. Only the symptoms can be alleviated
Lassa fever: current research
Several potential vaccines are under development. However, their effectiveness and safety have yet to be proven in humans. There is also still a need for research in the field of treatment. A number of treatment approaches, including immunotherapies and drug therapies, are currently being evaluated. They are not yet available for the application.
A notice: This information has been carefully researched, but does not replace advice from a doctor. All statements without guarantee.
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Author: Kathrin Rothfischer
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