Lassa fever cases detected in UK

Category : International Published on: February 18 2022

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A new virus called Lassa fever has started causing worry in the United Kingdom, after it was detected in three people, out of whom one died from the infection.
Lassa fever is an animal-borne, acute viral infection that is prevalent in parts of Africa. It is a rare, hemorrhagic fever that causes serious infection.
It is caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family of viruses.
Lassa fever has similar symptoms as malaria and Ebola.
Lassa Fever is reportedly transmitted when humans come in contact with the urine, saliva and excreta of infected rats.
The Lassa fever was first discovered in Lassa, Borno State, Nigeria in 1969. The virus infection is named after the town in Nigeria where the first cases were detected.
Recently, some cases of Lassa fever were reported in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.