You must have heard about strange diseases and epidemics spreading in foreign countries. Some of them make you feel a little scared, don't you? Well, this "Lassa Fever" is a viral fever that is reported, especially in West African countries. Fortunately for us, there have been no reports of such an outbreak among us in Sri Lanka. But still, it is very important to be aware of such things. Who knows, maybe if you or someone you know has to go to such places, this knowledge will be useful. So, shall we talk a little more about this Lassa Fever?
What is Lassa Fever?
Simply put, Lassa fever is a viral illness. It is most commonly seen in West African countries. Lassa fever belongs to a group of viruses called ``Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF)`` . This means that when infected with this type of virus, there is a possibility that the body may bleed uncontrollably.
However, not everyone who gets Lassa fever will experience severe bleeding. Most people (about 80 out of 100) will only experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches. However, for about 20% of people, it can be severe. It can increase the risk of miscarriage and other serious complications, especially for pregnant women.
The disease is mainly spread through the feces (`poop and pee`) of infected rats. It can also be transmitted through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.
How common is Lassa fever?
As we have said before, this is seen in West Africa. According to statistics, between one hundred thousand (100,000) and three hundred thousand (300,000) people in West African countries get Lassa fever every year. There have been no reports of this disease spreading from countries like America or other parts of the world. So, there is no need for people in our country to be very afraid of this, but it is important to be aware.
What are the symptoms of Lassa fever?
About 80% of people who develop Lassa fever experience mild, mild symptoms, including:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Headache
However, as mentioned earlier, about 20% of people may experience severe symptoms. These are somewhat serious:
- Chest, neck, or stomach pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea
- Bleeding from the mouth, nose, eyes, or other mucous membranes
- Seizures ( fit -like)
- Confusion, mental confusion
What causes Lassa fever?
The cause of this disease is the Lassa virus (LASV) . This virus is mainly carried by a special type of rat called `Mastomys` (some people also call it `multimammate rats`) that lives in West African countries. This Lassa virus can damage your blood vessels. It can also reduce the ability of your blood to clot. That is why you start bleeding uncontrollably.
How is Lassa fever transmitted?
There are several main ways you can get Lassa fever:
1. By coming into contact with the feces or urine of infected rats. This can contaminate food, water, or surfaces we touch.
2. By coming into contact with the bodily fluids of someone infected with the LASV virus. This includes sexual contact, as well as contact with their feces, urine, or blood.
Imagine, when a person or animal is infected with this virus, it can remain in their urine for a long time.
Furthermore, this disease can also spread from healthcare facilities like hospitals if hygiene practices are not followed properly, or if Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is not used (or is not available).
Who is at risk of developing Lassa fever?
If you live in or travel to areas of West Africa where the disease is common, you are at risk of contracting Lassa fever. Some of these countries include:
- Nigeria
- Benin
- Guinea
- Liberia
- Mali
- Sierra Leone
What are the possible complications of Lassa fever?
Even in mild cases of Lassa fever, about 1 in 3 people may experience partial or complete hearing loss . This may be temporary or permanent.
People with severe Lassa fever can develop life-threatening complications, including:
- Pregnancy loss/Miscarriage : If a pregnant mother is infected with Lassa virus, more than 75% of pregnancies end in miscarriage.
- Inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart (pericarditis)
- Pleural effusion
- Infections and inflammation of organs such as the liver (Hepatitis)
- Low blood platelet count (Thrombocytopenia): This can cause uncontrolled bleeding.
- Sudden kidney failure (Acute Kidney Injury)
- Brain function problems (Encephalopathy)
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): This can cause the body to not get enough oxygen.
- Severe blood clotting disorders `(Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation/DIC)`
- Sepsis: A severe response of the body to an infection.
Pregnant mothers should be especially careful about this, because if they contract Lassa fever, the chances of the baby in the womb surviving are very low.
How is Lassa fever diagnosed?
A doctor diagnoses Lassa fever by examining samples of your body fluids to see if there are signs of the virus. To take these samples and run tests, they may do things like:
- Blood tests
- Taking a throat swab
- Urinalysis
- Sometimes a test is done by taking a small amount of fluid from the spine (Lumbar Puncture / Spinal Tap)
Lassa fever can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, such as malaria, dengue, and Ebola. Therefore, if you have traveled to an area where Lassa fever is common, or if you think you may have been exposed to the virus, you should definitely tell your doctor.
What are the treatments for Lassa fever?
Healthcare providers, including doctors and nurses, usually treat Lassa fever with an antiviral drug called `(Ribavirin) .` In addition, your doctor may also prescribe other treatments, depending on your condition. For example:
- Dialysis treatment if the kidneys are damaged
- Supplemental oxygen if breathing is difficult
- Giving saline (IV fluids), medications, or supplements to correct electrolyte imbalances in the body
Lassa virus and pregnancy
As we mentioned earlier, pregnant women need to pay special attention. In most cases, it is difficult for the baby in the womb to survive a Lassa fever infection. Your doctor will constantly monitor you for any signs of miscarriage. If a miscarriage occurs, the fetal tissue should be removed as soon as possible. This will increase the chances of the mother's condition improving.
Depending on how far along the pregnancy is and the health of the mother and baby, doctors may recommend delivering the baby early. This can increase the chances of survival for both the mother and baby.
What happens if I get Lassa fever?
If you have Lassa fever, your healthcare providers and others caring for you will need to take special precautions. This includes wearing protective clothing (such as masks, gloves, goggles, and aprons) and isolating yourself from others .
If you are pregnant, you should start treatment with antiviral medications right away. Health care workers will monitor you very closely. Talk to your doctor about what to expect and what treatment options are best for your health and your pregnancy.
How long will it take to recover?
Most cases of Lassa fever are not severe. Recovery can take a week or so. About half of those who lose their hearing regain their hearing within a few weeks.
When can I go back to work/school?
Even if you have mild symptoms, you should avoid contact with others during the time you can spread the disease to others. Ask a doctor when it is safe to be around others again.
What is the survival rate for Lassa fever?
Because most people do not get Lassa fever as severely, the survival rate is good. However, the mortality rate depends on how severely you get sick and several other factors.
- The mortality rate for all cases (normal and severe) is about 1%. (That means about one in every 100 people who develop Lassa fever will die).
- The mortality rate for those severe enough to require hospitalization is about 15%. This can be much higher during outbreaks.
- The mortality rate for pregnant women is about 33% (that's one in every three).
Can Lassa fever be prevented?
Yes, you can. You can reduce your risk of contracting Lassa fever by keeping your environment free of rodents and by taking precautions when caring for someone who is sick. Here are some things you can do:
- Avoid contact with rats, especially in areas where Lassa fever is prevalent.
- Keep your living space clean and sanitary. Keep food and drink covered. This will reduce the number of animals like rats coming in.
- When caring for someone with Lassa fever or someone you think may have the disease , wear protective coverings. This includes a mask, gloves, gown, non-fogging goggles, and boots. Ask a doctor (or your organization if you are in healthcare) what precautions you need to take.
- If you are infected with Lassa virus, you need to isolate yourself from others to prevent spreading it to others.
When should I see a doctor?
If you live in a West African country, or have recently traveled to one, and you have symptoms of Lassa fever, see a doctor right away. If you are pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, a doctor should treat you and monitor you closely.
When should I go to the Emergency Department (ETU) ?
If you have these severe symptoms, go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Also, tell them that you may have Lassa fever:
- Chest, neck, or stomach pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea
- Seizures are like a fit.
- Confusion, mental confusion
What questions should I ask my doctor?
You may find it helpful to ask a doctor questions like these:
- How to prevent the spread of the virus?
- What treatment options do I have?
- How do I take care of myself?
- How long will it take to recover?
- What new or worsening symptoms should I watch for?
Lassa fever is a disease that can affect people who live in or travel to West African countries. It is usually not serious. However, it can cause serious complications, especially for pregnant women. You can reduce your risk by avoiding areas where rats are present and by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for someone with Lassa fever. If you are traveling to a country where Lassa fever is common, it is a good idea to talk to a doctor or public health official about your concerns before you go.
Take-Home Message
Okay, so now you have a good idea about the Lassa Fever we talked about. There is nothing to worry about, because this is not a disease that spreads in our country. But, it is always good to be aware.
- Lassa fever is a viral fever that is common in West Africa.
- It is mainly transmitted through the feces of infected rats. It can also be transmitted through the bodily fluids of an infected person.
- Most people experience symptoms like a mild fever and body aches, but a small number can be more severe.
- Pregnant women are at higher risk. Miscarriages can occur.
- The main treatment is a drug called `Ribavirin`.
- The best way to prevent it is to control rodents and maintain cleanliness. Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when around an infected person.
- If you have traveled to West Africa and have flu-like symptoms, tell a doctor immediately.
So, we hope this information was useful to you. Stay healthy!
` Lassa fever, Lassa Fever, viral fever, hemorrhagic fever, rat-borne diseases, African fever, symptoms
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