Do people recover from Lassa fever?
Among patients who are hospitalized with severe clinical presentation of Lassa fever, case-fatality is estimated at around 15%. Early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival. About 80% of people who become infected with Lassa virus have no symptoms.
Is there a vaccine for the Lassa virus?
Currently, there is no licensed vaccine for Lassa fever, although numerous candidates are in the development pipeline.
How does Ribavirin work in Lassa fever?
Abstract. Ribavirin is a broad spectrum antiviral which inhibits Lassa virus (LASV) replication in vitro but exhibits a minor effect on viremia in vivo. However, ribavirin significantly improves the disease outcome when administered in combination with sub-optimal doses of favipiravir, a strong antiviral drug.
How is Lassa virus transmitted?
Transmission of Lassa virus to humans normally occurs through contamination of broken skin or mucous membranes via direct or indirect contact with infected rodent excreta on floors, home surfaces, in food or water. Transmission is also possible where rodents are caught and consumed as food.
How do you test for Lassa fever?
Lassa fever is most often diagnosed by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assays (ELISA), which detect IgM and IgG antibodies as well as Lassa antigen. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) can be used in the early stage of disease.
What is the life cycle 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.
Is Lassa fever communicable?
Lassa fever facts Unlike Ebola virus, Lassa fever is not as contagious person to person, nor as deadly. Lassa virus is typically transmitted by the urine or feces of Mastomys rats to humans. Health workers may be infected by direct contact with blood, body fluids, urine, or stool of a patient with Lassa fever.
Is Lassa fever contagious?
What is the treatment for Lassa fever?
Treatment. Ribavirin, an antiviral drug, has been used with success in Lassa fever patients.
How do you get Lassa fever?
Lassa fever 1 Symptoms of Lassa fever. The incubation period of Lassa fever ranges from 6–21 days. 2 Transmission. Humans usually become infected with Lassa virus from exposure to urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats. 3 Diagnosis. 4 Treatment and prophylaxis. 5 Prevention and control. 6 WHO response.
What is the prognosis of Lassa fever?
Prognosis of Lassa fever is generally good, considering that many individuals in affected areas have antibodies to Lassa fever and do not recall illness. Most illness is mild and does not require hospitalization. Of those hospitalized from the community with Lassa fever, up to 15% die.
How do you test for Lassa virus?
Lassa virus infections can only be diagnosed definitively in the laboratory using the following tests: reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antigen detection tests virus isolation by cell culture.
