Abstract:
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever caused by Lassa virus belonging to
Arenaviridae family and is endemic in West African countries of Sierra Leone, Liberia,
Guinea and Nigeria. The virus is present in a multi-mammate rat (Mastomys natalensis)
found in tropical endemic areas. The clinical picture of disease in the initial stages can be
confused with many other bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases prevalent in the area. The
disease, if untreated, may lead to haemorrhagic manifestations and can prove fatal. The
highly infectious nature of disease and lack of diagnostic facilities in the endemic areas add
to the dilemma. The civil unrest in most of the West African countries and large
population migration has increased the incidence of this disease in these areas. The UN
peace keeping troops deployed in these areas are at risk of this disease. This review
highlights the epidemiology, clinical course, diagnostic modalities and treatment options of
Lassa fever. The latest situation of Lassa fever in Sierra Leone is also discussed.
