Lassa Fever – Un Peacekeepers’ Nightmare in West Africa

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.