Lassa Fever in Nigeria (Update 1)
29 Jan 2018
The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control
reports 107 suspected cases of Lassa fever (including 16 deaths) in 10 states from 1 January to 24 January 2018.
The affected states are Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Kogi, Imo and Lagos.
Ten health care workers have been infected in four States (Ebonyi - 7, Nasarawa - 1, Kogi - 1 and Benue - 1) with 3 deaths in Ebonyi State.
Advice for Travellers
Lassa fever is a low risk for most travellers unless living in poor sanitary conditions with overcrowding in rural areas where the host is usually found. Lassa fever is a viral disease transmitted via the faeces of infected rats. Healthcare workers are at risk if good infection control and barrier nursing methods are not maintained.
Travellers returning from affected areas who develop symptoms of fever, malaise, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain should seek medical advice.