How can Lassa fever be prevented?

Primary transmission of the Lassa virus from its host to humans can be prevented by avoiding contact with Mastomys rodents, especially in the geographic regions where outbreaks occur. Putting food away in rodent-proof containers and keeping the home clean help to discourage rodents from entering homes.

What is Lassa fever causes and prevention?

Overview. Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family of viruses. Humans usually become infected with Lassa virus through exposure to food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats.

What is the treatment for Lassa fever?

Ribavirin, an antiviral drug, has been used with success in Lassa fever patients. It has been shown to be most effective when given early in the course of the illness.

What temperature kills Lassa virus?

Nevertheless, the virus is stable at room temperature and pH range of 5.5–8.5, but heating at 50, 56, 60, and 100 °C inactivates the pathogen within an hour, 30, 15, and 2 min, respectively.

How long can Lassa virus survive outside the body?

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: The virus is stable as an aerosol, particularly at low relative humidity (30 % RH). The biological half-live at both 24°C and 32°C ranges from 10.1 to 54.6 minutes(20).

Is Lassa fever curable?

In around 1 percent of all cases, Lassa fever is fatal, and around 15 to 20 percent of all hospitalizations for the disease will end in death. Death can occur within 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms due to multiple organ failure.

Which type of rat causes Lassa fever?

The reservoir, or host, of Lassa virus is a rodent known as the “multimammate rat” (Mastomys natalensis). Once infected, this rodent is able to excrete virus in urine for an extended time period, maybe for the rest of its life.

What type of rat carries Lassa fever?

Lassa fever is a viral infection carried by the multimammate rat Mastomys natalensis (M. natalensis). This is one of the most common rodents in equatorial Africa, found across much of sub-Saharan Africa.

Is it all rat that causes Lassa fever?

Is Lassa fever a pandemic?

Like many potentially pandemic diseases, Lassa fever is spread by a virus carried by animals – in this case, rats – and in West Africa where it is endemic it can be as dangerous as Ebola or COVID-19.

Do all rats have Lassa fever?

What is the incubation period of Lassa fever?

The incubation period of Lassa fever ranges from 6–21 days. The onset of the disease, when it is symptomatic, is usually gradual, starting with fever, general weakness, and malaise. After a few days, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough, and abdominal pain may follow.

How can we get rid of Lassa fever?

Trapping in and around homes can help reduce rodent populations; however, the wide distribution of Mastomys in Africa makes complete control of this rodent reservoir impractical.

What is the cause of Lassa fever in humans?

Lassa Fever – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention. Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family of viruses. It is transmitted to humans from contacts with food or household items contaminated with rodent excreta.

How can Lassa virus be prevented from humans?

Prevention. Primary transmission of the Lassa virus from its host to humans can be prevented by avoiding contact with Mastomys rodents, especially in the geographic regions where outbreaks occur. Putting food away in rodent-proof containers and keeping the home clean help to discourage rodents from entering homes.

How does a Mastomys rat get Lassa fever?

Mastomys rodents shed the virus in urine and droppings and direct contact with these materials, through touching soiled objects, eating contaminated food, or exposure to open cuts or sores, can lead to infection.