Lassa Fever by Carly Brown

Discovery John Frame 1969 collaborated with Yale Arbovirus Research Unit

Type/Structure Arenaviridae family spherical lipid membrane single-stranded RNA

Transportation zoonotic host-multimammate rat genus Mastomys person to person

Transportation(cont.) urine & droppings direct contact airborne transmission

Demographic Info. at risk- those who live in areas with Mastomys rodents

Statistics 100,000 - 300,000 infections a year 5,000 deaths accounts for 10-16% admitted to hospitals

Facts 80% - no observable symptoms 20% - severe multisystem disease 1-3 weeks after contracted

Symptoms fever malaise throat lesions pneumonia abdominal pain vomiting diarrhea

Symptoms(etc.) retrosternal pain back pain cough conjunctivitis facial swelling mucosal bleeding

Neurological Problems tremors hearing loss deafness occurs in 1/3 of cases

Miscellaneous 15-20% patients hospitalized die 95% fetuses die risky-women in 3rd trimester

Ribavirin antiviral drug used with success

Sources