How do we control Lassa fever?
How do we control Lassa fever?
Primary transmission of the Lassa virus from its host to humans can be prevented by avoiding contact with Mastomys rodents, especially in the geographic regions where outbreaks occur. Putting food away in rodent-proof containers and keeping the home clean help to discourage rodents from entering homes.
What is the prevention and control of Lassa fever?
Prevention of Lassa fever relies on promoting good “community hygiene” to discourage rodents from entering homes. Effective measures include storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households and keeping cats.
How is Lassa fever transmitted from person to person?
Transmission of Lassa virus to humans occurs most commonly through ingestion or inhalation. Mastomys rodents shed the virus in urine and droppings and direct contact with these materials, through touching soiled objects, eating contaminated food, or exposure to open cuts or sores, can lead to infection.
Is there a vaccine for Lassa fever?
Currently, there is no licensed vaccine for Lassa fever, although numerous candidates are in the development pipeline. These include DNA, RNA, live attenuated, and multiple different viral-vectored vaccine approaches24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32.
Is there a cure for Lassa virus?
Although Lassa virus was first described over 5 decades ago in 1969, no treatments or vaccines have been approved to treat or prevent infection.
How long can Lassa virus survive outside the body?
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: The virus is stable as an aerosol, particularly at low relative humidity (30 % RH). The biological half-live at both 24°C and 32°C ranges from 10.1 to 54.6 minutes(20).
Who is susceptible to Lassa fever?
People of all ages are susceptible. The disease is mild or has no observable symptoms in about 80% of people infected, but 20% have a severe multisystem disease.
How long can Lassa virus survive outside the host?
What is the mortality rate of Lassa fever?
Approximately 15%-20% of patients hospitalized for Lassa fever die from the illness. However, only 1% of all Lassa virus infections result in death. The death rates for women in the third trimester of pregnancy are particularly high.
Can you recover from Lassa fever?
Surviving Lassa fever without antiviral treatment using ribavarin is perceived to be rare. Only one individual has been documented to have survived without receiving the anti-viral agent ribavarin1.
How are Mastomys spread from person to person?
Wolfgang Preiser MRCPath, in Virology, 2012 Mastomys rodents shed virus in their urine and droppings. The virus may be spread through direct contact with these droppings, through touching contaminated objects, eating contaminated food or through contact with open sores.
Which is the most common species of Mastomys?
The two most commonly used species in research are Mastomys natalensis ( Fig. 7.28) and Mastomys coucha. These species are morphologically identical and overlap in their native South African habitats ( Kneidinger, 2008 ).
How many mammary glands does a mastomy have?
The common name describes the high number of mammary glands, usually eight to 12 pairs, but there may be as many as 18 pairs. The genus Mastomys generates taxonomic confusion. The two most commonly used species in research are Mastomys natalensis ( Fig. 7.28) and Mastomys coucha.
