Lassa virus was first described in 1950's  but in 1969,Lassa fever was confirmed in a town called lassa in borno, Nigeria.
Lassa fever is a delicate, acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by lassa virus  , it's one of the member of the arenavirus, family of virus.
Lassa virus infects humans through exposure to food or water contaminated with feces or urine of infected rats.

 This disease is prevalent in most west africa countries like Nigeria , Ghana , Guinea, Liberia, Mali
Sierra leone.
There is human to human infection and perhaps, laboratory transmission can also occur.
Majorly, in some health care center where there is low adequacy of infection prevention .

                     Symptoms

The symptoms are relatively mild. Lassa fever becomes so effective 2-3 weeks after the patient is infected  with the virus. the symptoms include;

  • Slight pain
  • Headache
  • loss of appetite
  • dizziness 
  • Body pains
The disease may exacerbate or aggravate to a severe symptoms. Example;

  • Muscle pain
  • shock
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Neurological problem
 DEATH MAY OCCUR AFTER TWO WEEKS OF INFECTION.
   
Microscopic view of Lassa Virus

                            



PREVENTION

  1. Clean environment  prevent lassa fever
  2. Ensure that your raw foods are well protected from rats
  3. Proper covering of food prevent  the infection
  4. warming of food also prevent lassa fever
  5. Maintain good personal hygiene   
  6. Avoid eating rats
  7. fixing holes in the house 

   

TREATMENT

Ribavirin is an effective antiviral drug, it's used to prevent the virus from functioning well.
The patient should also receive supportive care as well as treatment of any other complicating infections.