Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. It is endemic in many countries in West Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. According to the World Health Organization, there are an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 cases of Lassa fever annually, resulting in 5,000 deaths. The symptoms of Lassa fever are similar to those of other viral hemorrhagic fevers, including Ebola and Marburg. Patients typically experience fever, headaches, muscle weakness, sore throat, chest and abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal bleeding. Lassa fever can cause severe complications, such as hearing loss, encephalopathy, and fetal death in pregnant women. There is no specific treatment for Lassa fever, but early supportive care can improve survival rates. Prevention measures include rodent control, hand washing, and safe management of patients and body fluids.
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