Lassa Fever in Guinea

04 Feb 2019

The government of Guinea has reported via media that a 35-year-old man has been diagnosed with Lassa fever in Mamou, a town in the centre of the country,about 260km from the capital city Conakry.

Advice for Travellers

Lassa fever presents a low risk to most travellers unless they are living in poor sanitary conditions with overcrowding in rural areas where the host is usually found. Lassa fever is a zoonotic viral disease transmitted via the excreta of an infected Mastomys rat. Healthcare workers are at risk if good infection control and barrier nursing methods are not maintained.

Travellers returning from affected areas who develop symptoms of fever, malaise, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain should seek medical advice.

For further informations see Viral Haemorrhagic Fever.