Lassa fever case in Guinea

The Guinea Ministry of Health reported yesterday (computer translated) of a Lassa fever case in a 35-year-old man from Kissidougou Prefecture who was admitted to the Mamou Regional Hospital on Jan. 28.

The case was laboratory confirmed on Feb. 1.

To date, no other case has been notified. In accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR), a crisis meeting was held on the premises of the National Health Security Agency (ANSS) on 02 February 2019.

This meeting brought together, in addition to officials from the Ministry of Health, Livestock and Environment, many partners.

At the end of this meeting, it was decided to send an on-site investigation mission to support the health teams of Mamou and Kissidougou prefectures in their efforts to control this disease.

Lassa fever is spread primarily by rats. Rats that carry the Lassa fever virus live in homes and areas where food is stored. People usually become ill with Lassa fever after direct contact with rat droppings or urine and through touching objects or eating food contaminated with rat droppings or urine.

Lassa fever may also spread when a person comes into contact with an infected person’s blood, tissue, or body fluids, especially when that person is seriously ill.